Greater support and synthetic track grants for National Foundations are key IAAF strategy, says Sergey Bubka

Sergey Bubka, IAAF Vice President and Olympic champion, believes that providing synthetic tracks for every National Athletics Federation are a key strategy for the IAAF. Speaking at the Oceania Area Athletics Championships in Cairns, Australia, Bubka, who is a Chair of the IAAF Development Commission, says a lot has been done to create opportunities for athletics in the Oceania region, but the IAAF should use a more global approach.

Bubka said: "Every National Federation should have a modern synthetic track and equipment. There can be no compromise about that. I speak a lot with my colleagues from National Federations who tell me how many kids are eager to go into athletics – but they can’t develop practicing at an archaic cinder track. We can and have to give them better opportunities.

"It is obvious now that we need to increase IAAF grants for National Federations in the near future. Local activity is key to the future of our sport. National Federations need financial support for promotion and development of the sport. I know from my experience that National Federations can’t achieve success without proper administration, so my proposal is to use the increased grants to hire paid staff for every federation.

"We should also work out individual strategic plans for the development for every National Federation who needs it – and support them in the process of implementing the plans. I see this cooperation as a part of the social mission of athletics and the IAAF."

Bubka emphasized the role of the regional international competitions between National Federations and added: "The Oceania Area Championships here in Cairns, as well as recent African Youth Championships in Mauritius, prove that many countries have enough knowledge and desire to organize and manage events at the highest level.

"We can also see how important the regional competitions are for athletes and coaches’ skills and for sharing experience. Regional meets give a ‘power boost’ to athletics because they widen the profile of the sport for spectators and sponsors, and attract more young locals to athletics."

Bubka also paid tribute to the organizers and participants in Cairns for staging a great event. He commented: "I am always amazed how inspired athletes and coaches are here in Oceania. Their passion for our sport is truly enormous. There are so many talented prospects in every athletics discipline – and so many sport-loving administrators who want to push athletics forward. The Oceania Championships is organized perfectly in Cairns – thanks to Oceania Athletics and Athletics Australia for that. I’m enjoying the festive and friendly competitive atmosphere which is so important to involve young people and amateurs in our sport."

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