Kids’ Athletics launches Africa International Sport Convention – IAAF – One of the objectives of IAAF ‘Kids’ Athletics’ is to \“present athletics to children in such a playful way that they will perceive it more as a game than as a competition

Dakar, Senegal – On Wednesday 7 December in the town of Rufisque which stands some 40km from Dakar an IAAF Kids’ Athletics event took place to launch the activities of the first Africa International Sport Convention (CISA) which will take place in the Senegalese capital from 1 to 3 February 2007.

More than 1500 children from 9 schools in Rufisque took part in the event which was jointly organised by the IAAF High Performance Training Centre (CIAD) which is based in the city, and the Olympafrica Foundation.

Next February’s Africa International Sport Convention will be a unique opportunity that brings together professionals of sport to discuss issues related to African sport at a time of big change. The event will be organized by JAPPO S.A, an event organization and management company.

This month’s launch event was attended among others by the Mayor of the western district of Rufisque, with Cheikh Thiaré, the chef de cabinet to IAAF President Lamine Diack, representing the sports’ world governing body. ‘Kids’ Athletics’ “means effectively promoting the implementation and development of athletics at school level.”

Of the 1500 pupils involved most were on hand to give their support and encouragement to the 300 of their schoolmates who actively took part in the athletic exercises – 100m, 200m, 400m, hurdles, throwing (javelin and shot put), and relay events – which were run by Olympafria, and athletes from the HPTC and the local athletics club.

One of the objectives of IAAF ‘Kids’ Athletics’ is to \“present athletics to children in such a playful way that they will perceive it more as a game than as a competition,\“ added Thiaré.

The highlight of the afternoon was a mass cross country race which involved 200 children from 8 to 14 years in age.

Amadou Dia Ba, the 1988 Seoul 400m Hurdles silver medallist, Senegal’s only ever Olympic medal winner, who is President of the African Olympians Association, and Director of the IAAF’s Regional Development Centre (CRD / FIA) which is also based in Dakar, said \“this event provides the first long lasting link between athletics and schools and we can only be happy about this initiative.”

On this occasion for children, Diamil Faye, CEO of the organising company commented \“with the help of IAAF, we plan to contribute to the rebirth of athletics at school level in the country, so athletics being presented as the basis of all sport. This is only the first step, and in the month of January we will go ato a higher level with the involvement of 3 schools and centres for street children per week,” around Senegal.

An artistic competition will also be held in conjunction with the initiative, with children writing and producing art to beautifully represent their vision of sport, with the contest open to children from 6 to 14 years of age.

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