Botswana is the African beneficiary of the Spirit of World Plan Awards, which were presented by IAAF President Lamine Diack, at a special award ceremony in the Hotel Arts in Barcelona today.

The presentation marked the conclusion of the IAAF’s current strategic policy, the Athletics’ World Plan 2003-2012 which was designed to ensure that the sport of Athletics and its world governing body was fit and ready for the tasks of the next 100 years.

The Spirit of World Plan Awards were created to acknowledge outstanding initiatives that have exemplify the achievements of the Athletics’ World Plan in each of the six continental Areas of the IAAF.

Botswana has introduced a range of initiatives to provide appropriate training opportunities, educational assistance and financial support for athletes who otherwise would not be able to continue in the sport.

The award was received on their behalf by the President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Col Hamad Kalkaba Malboum.

Other awardees are:

ASIA – China

China has become the hub of competition for the Asian Area and has organised many events at the national, regional and international level including the first ever National Kids’ Athletics Games.

EUROPE – Estonia

Estonia has been very proactive in organising highly successful competitions at the national, regional and European level.

NACAC – British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands revived the Leeward Islands Championships that was absent for years and succeeded in not only hosting the event but successfully bringing together the countries that make up the Area.

OCEANIA - French Polynesia

French Polynesia has adopted the IAAF Kids’ Athletics programme widely and through the efforts of the Federation has had the programme officially adopted by the Government for inclusion in the school curriculum.

SOUTH AMERICA - Brazil

Brazil has introduced the IAAF Kids’ Athletics programme throughout the country but particularly in the State of Parana where it has been most successful.