JOIN USThe newly-elected president of the Asian Athletic Association, Dahlan Al Hamad, said his primary focus will be to develop the sport in the continent as a whole.
“I have a vision for Asian Athletics and therefore I have drawn a detailed plan, whose execution begins immediately and is based on realistic ideas and proposals. This will be the vehicle to pave the way for a bright future,” Dahlan said after defeating the incumbent, India’s Suresh Kalmadi 20-18 in the elections here.
The Qatari is an experienced administrator, having been the president of Qatar Athletics Federation from 1996 to 2008 and since 2012.
He is a vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations and was the senior vice-president of the AAA besides holding numerous other positions. The Major General of Qatar’s Armed Forces, Dahlan has also been a council member of the IAAF since 2003.
The Qatari said Asia needed to have the right programme of development, the right competitions and the right marketing. “Many Asian companies are IAAF partners but the Asian association is not sponsored by anybody, because we do not possess the ideal product to attract vital funding,” he said, underlining his desire to bring in a specific strategy to market the sport.
“Asia is a key player on the money side and on the population side. Sixty percent of the world’s population lives in our continent,” he said, adding that focus also will fall on competitions for youth.
Dahlan also brushed aside concerns about the voting today, with seven invalid votes being cast. “Overall, we have to respect the constitution and apply democracy in the voting process. There is no way to satisfy everybody,” he said. “We cannot forget Kalmadi’s contribution. He did his best, now we have to take the baton from him and continue the movement,” he said.
Dahlan also highlighted the election of two women representatives. “It’s very important for the progress of sport that women play an active role. Their presence will help us in this regard,” he said.