Doha, 16.02.2015 – Mr. Dahlan Al Hamad, the IAAF Vice President, Asian Athletics President and Qatar Athletics President, announced today 16 February, at a press conference in Doha, his intention to run later this year for both the IAAF and Asian Athletics Association elections in order to retain his positions as IAAF Vice-President and AAA President.
Mr. Dahlan Al Hamad has been a Council Member of International Association of Athletics Federation (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.
“From an unknown quantity at international level, Qatar has evolved in the last 20 years into a key, powerful and trusted IAAF partner. Throughout all these years I have served the Qatari, Asian and International athletics governing bodies from various leading positions”.
“My personal dream to establish my county into the world’s athletics decision makers has become a reality, but my aspirations for the future of world athletics do not end here. I am determined to do whatever required to keeping up the development of the sport from its grassroots not only in Qatar, but in the wider Asian continent”, said Mr. Dahlanwho thanked His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, for his continuous support.
“Dahlan Al Hamad is a key Qatari figure who had continuously contributed to the athletics scene in Qatar, Asia and the whole world. The candidacy of Dahlan Al Hamad is vital, given his background in both the IAAF and AAA” underlined HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and co-host of the the press conference.
Among the initiatives Mr. Dahlan has introduced during his short tenure as AAA President were the creation of a 5-year strategic plan; the organisation of numerous training programmes 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 programmes. Furthermore AAA managed to generate an additional income from sponsors.
“I believe that it is time for Asia to be at the Centre 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 Mr. 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 organisations, 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.
Mr. 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 emphasise on the grass roots programmes, 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.”
