RDC Cairo hosts "IAAF Women’s Athletics Seminar"

The RDC Cairo organised a "Women’s Athletics Seminar" on 19-24 April 2008.
Seventeen participants from 13 Arab-speaking countries attended the seminar under the supervision of the IAAF Women's Committee Chairperson, Claire Chehab (LIB).

One of the major objectives of the IAAF is to increase the number of women who participate in athletics.

During the six-day seminar designed specifically for women, the many problems facing the Arab countries, which have led to a decrease in female participation in athletics events, were discussed.

Some of the main problems that face the Arab countries are related to the Member Federations who do not support women's participation. They have the fewest number of coaches, judges and officials and their customs and traditions inevitably lead Arab women to refrain from participating in athletic events.

Claire Chehab said that women have become almost equal with men in athletics in terms of participating in events that they were previously excluded from in the past: pole vault, 20km race walking, 3000m steeple and hammer throw. The participation of women has also lead to increasing numbers of athletics' spectators.

Mrs. Chehab focused on the key role of women in the Member Federations. She said that there are still a lot of things to do such as focusing on increasing the number of female coaches, judges, officials and administrators inside clubs and federations.

She also highlighted the role of the participants to apply Kids' Athletics in Schools and clubs and establishing Athletes Committees in Clubs.

Dr. Madeha Faried delivered a workshop on the role of women in finding out alternative implements to help prevent injuries during athletics competitions and there was a lecture on the biological aspects in training female athletes by Dr. Ezzat el Kashef.

The IAAF Women's Committee Chairperson made some recommendations to be delivered and carried out by the participants in their Member Federations such as taking the necessary action to help increase the presence of women to 20% in the administrative body of the Federation following IOC resolutions. She emphasised the importance of establishing a Women's committee in each Member Federation in order to manage women's affairs.

The recommendations also included the necessity of establishing a Women's Committee in the Arab Athletics Association to exchange experiences between Arab women throughout training camps, seminars and courses.

IAAF