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Dahlan Al Hamad to run for IAAF Vice President

Xinhua, February 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Dahlan Al Hamad, the IAAF Vice President, Asian Athletics Association (AAA) President and Qatar Athletics President, announced here on Monday at a press conference that he will run later this year for both the IAAF and Asian Athletics Association elections in order to retain his positions in IAAF and AAA.

Dahlan Al Hamad has been a Council Member of IAAF since 2003 and Vice President since 2007. Also, after serving the Asian Athletic Association (AAA) as Sr. Vice President for seven years, in 2013 was elected in the Presidential position.

Among the initiatives Dahlan has introduced during his short tenure as AAA President were the creation of a 5-year strategic plan; the organization of numerous training programs in various countries, mainly for those who are facing financial problems; the agreement to bring all Asian federations under the umbrella of the Qatar-based "Aspire"; the promotion of Beach Athletics; the creation of preparation camps for all federations in China in order to assist the poorest countries; and the agreements signed with Oceania and the Balkan Athletics Association for athletes' and coaches exchange programs. Furthermore AAA managed to generate an additional income from sponsors.

He said, "I believe that it is time for Asia to be at the Center Stage and this task can be achieved by creating and delivering a new athletics concept. But, this ambitious project we are determined to implement at Asian Athletics cannot be separated from a general strategic plan the International Associations of Athletics Federations should adopt.

"No matter who the next IAAF President will be, we have to start Innovating World Athletics and the main means are by focusing on Youths, Inspire them and Engage them. If I will be re- elected at the IAAF Vice President position I will concentrate all my forces and energy on that direction," added Dahlan who also declared war to the illegal performance enhancing substances distribution and use.

"If we all concentrate and unite forces on this war, and I mean IAAF, AAA and all other athletics organizations, we may be able by 2019 when the World Championships will be held in Doha, to showcase to the world a fairer, cleaner and more attractive sport, like it has never been before.

Dahlan Al Hamad is convinced that a further expansion of athletics worldwide seems feasible if all will act dynamically by implementing a few simple but very important steps.

"We need to emphasize on the grass roots program, to educate and engage youngsters on the sportsmanlike principles, to teach them the virtues of fair play and to fight against doping. Education is our main weapon in our war against doping. We must focus on Prevention, to raise awareness of the complications and symptoms doping use may cause to the human body." Enditem