In line with carefully studied plans and a vision with a global outlook, the Qatar Athletics Federation is focusing most of its efforts on providing every means of success for its talent centres, which are run by coaches of the highest calibre in the coaching world, along with specialist staff. It is hoped that this focus will help Qatar in particular, and the Gulf Arab states in general, win more medals at world athletics championships, especially
the Olympic Games, the Asian Games and the World Championships.
Winning eleven medals at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, last month gave Qataris a strong boost of optimism as they target the next Olympic Games in London in 2012, with these medals — three gold, four silver and four bronze — putting Qatar’s preparations on track to compete strongly at the London Olympics and the events that follow, according to Qatar Athletics Federation president Mr Abdullah Al Zaini, who stressed that Doha’s “centres of excellence” are the ideal path for Qatar to keep moving forward towards achievement.
Mr Al Zaini added: “We have chosen 34 coaches to help young athletes, and there will be more engagement with schools in Doha to identify young people interested in athletics; we are also working to raise the standards of our female athletes. The centres of excellence have been designed to help young athletes improve their abilities at an early age, and coaches will be assigned to athletes who show future promise.”
Mr Al Zaini also commented on the importance of implementing the international federation’s vision, saying: “As you know, the IAAF is promoting the idea of organising more than three annual events for schoolchildren, and we will implement that; in addition to the talent centres of excellence, eight Qatari clubs will be restructuring their schedule of 12 local competitive events per season, in order to achieve the shared goal between us and the IAAF of broadening the base of athletes in this sport.”
Al Zaini concluded by saying: “The Qatar Athletics Federation enjoys the full support of the Qatari government, which has consistently backed the hosting of major events, including Grand Prix athletics meetings, the Diamond League and the World Indoor Championships over the years.”
This is a fine example of how the Qatar Athletics Federation channels its resources towards developing new talent and how it is opening new horizons in seeking to raise the level of its young athletes and the precision of their training programmes….
