The Asian Athletics Federation held a Board of Directors meeting at the Sheraton Doha Hotel, chaired by His Excellency Mr. Dahlan Jumaan Al-Hamad, President of the Federation, and in the presence of Lord Sebastian Coe, President of the International Association of Athletics Federations and all members of the Federation’s Board of Directors.
The Asian Athletics Confederation’s Board of Directors approved plans to develop the game according to the five regions that include all the continent’s federations, in order to increase interest in the game and expand the base of participation in it. In its 103rd meeting, the Board of Directors also approved the plan for the next stage of developing the game and the tournament program according to its five regions (East Asia, Southeast Asia, West Asia, South Asia and Central Asia).
The Board of Directors also reviewed the reports of the heads of the five regions and the various committees and followed up on the implementation of the work approved by the Federation in its future plans that depend on developing talent and preparing distinguished generations that will raise the continent’s shares in international forums, given that the continent contains 60 percent of the world’s young generation, which is the percentage. The largest among all continents, which means that the future will belong to the continent of Asia.
The Board of Directors also discussed many amendments that are in line with the new constitution approved by the last General Assembly in preparation for its approval in the next General Assembly of the Federation, which will be held in South Korea next year, which includes the introduction of many technical matters related to the administrative and levels of representation in the Great Continental Union and the regional boards of directors. Five in order to give priority to the best interests of the federation and the game on the continent.
For his part, His Excellency Mr. Dahlan Al-Hamad, President of the Asian Athletics Federation, expressed the embrace of the Asian continent in Doha, pointing out that this is not strange to the State of Qatar, which has always been an incubator for sports leaders of various continental, international and Olympic structures.
The President of the Asian Confederation explained that the importance of this meeting lies in the fact that it comes before the preparation for the General Assembly, which will be the beginning of the next world in South Korea, noting that the meeting witnessed the discussion of many important topics that concern the future of the Mother of the Asian Games, perhaps the most prominent of which is following up on the outcomes of the strategic plan that was presented in 2023, which concerns the new constitution of the Asian Athletics Confederation through reports submitted by the heads of the regions to come up with an integrated plan over the course of 2030 and advance the game. Al-Hamad stressed the importance of the issue of integrity, which is considered fundamental in the various structures of the Asian Athletics Confederation
Sebastian Coe: Qatar and the Olympics
British Sebastian Coe, President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, expressed his happiness at being in Doha and participating in the meeting of the AFC Board of Directors, headed by His Excellency Dahlan Al-Hamad. He said in press statements: I am happy to return to Qatar and I am also happy to be here to support my great friend, Major General Dahlan, who was With me since 2003, one way or another in the World Athletics Council.
The President of the International Federation explained that the Asian Athletics Games witnessed great development under the leadership of Major General Dahlan Al-Hamad.
Regarding the ambition of the State of Qatar to organize the Olympic Games in the coming years, the President of the International Federation said: Qatar has enough sporting ambition to host any sporting event at the Olympic level and at the global level, and I always admire the ambition of the Qataris, so there is nothing preventing it from hosting the Olympics.