MANILA, Philippines - Athletics heads from various countries in Asia drew up resolutions aimed at advancing the sport in the continent with emphasis on youth participation worldwide during the 83rd Asian Athletics Association (AAA) Council Meeting at Solaire Resort and Casino recently.
The country’s hosting of the AAA Council Meeting, attended by 20 athletics heads representing 20 countries and territories across Asia, was the fourth since the late Gov. Jose Sering spearheaded the formation of the then 4A’s in 1973 and staged the first Asian Athletics Championships at the Rodriguez Sports Center in Marikina.
The second and third Philippine hosting took place during the term of Go Teng Kok in 1993 and 2003, respectively.
“All AAA officials in attendance, led by president Dahlan Al-Hamad of Qatar have expressed admiration on how the meeting was organized. This is a huge honor for the country because once again the Philippines was given the distinction as a prime mover in athletics in Asia,” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Philip Ella Juico.
The meeting also saw the formal designation by the AAA president of Juico as chairman of the School and Youth Commission and the confirmation by the Council of Juico’s appointment.
The commission, with Juico at the helm, shall provide the AAA with general advice regarding all aspects of school and youth participation in athletics worldwide and develop up-to-date policies for school and youth athletes across Asia.
Juico also got the official nod of the council to head the working group that is to review the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the AAA. The election of a new International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Sebastian Coe is expected to trigger adjustments in the existing plan. Karim Ibrahim of Malaysia was approved by the council as the Asian Area Representative to the IAAF Council.
In his welcome address, Juico gave significance to the intensive effort of the Philippines in popularizing and developing athletics in the country.
“With this hosting, hopefully highlight could be given to the Philippines’ proactive role in the development of Asian athletics especially among the youth as it strengthens its Street Athletics and Kids Athletics programs and its weekly relays which has definitely helped raise the standards of Philippine athletics,” said Juico.
The 83rd AAA Council Meeting, backed by the PCSO, Toyota, Asia Brewery, RC Cola, Footzone Foot Reflexology, PNB, Foton Motors and BMW, also marked the integral cooperation of the PATAFA and the private sector. The 84th Council Meeting will be held in Doha, Qatar in Feb. 2016.