World Aquatics is set to further strengthen its ties with Budapest with plans to move its headquarters to the Hungarian capital from the Swiss city of Lausanne. It moved to Lausanne from London in 1986 and is currently one of 16 Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) members based in the Olympic Capital, which is also home to the International Olympic Committee. Following President Husain Al-Musallam’s visit to Hungary to meet with Government officials, including Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó, it plans to join the International Judo Federation as the second ASOIF member based in Budapest. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Hungarian Government and World Aquatics to promote further cooperation over the potential relocation, which requires Congressional approval from the global governing body. Al-Musallam heaped praise on Budapest after it staged last year’s World Championships at short notice, and underlined that World Aquatics views Hungary as a trusted partner “Hungary has repeatedly proven itself to be a wonderful host for our sport and for our athletes,” he said. “World Aquatics remains sincerely grateful for this. “I am excited to work with our friends in Budapest to see what further possibilities there may be here for World Aquatics.” Budapest has already been awarded the 2027 World Aquatics Championships, marking the third time it has held the event in 11 years following on from the 2017 and 2022 editions. Fukuoka had originally been due to host the 2022 World Championships, but Budapest stepped in to host an additional edition at around four months’ notice when the Japanese city was forced to delay until this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. It also due to stage next year’s World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 metres).

The 5,000-capacity Duna Arena was constructed for the 2017 World Championships, joining the Alfréd Hajós National Swimming Stadium among Budapest’s major aquatics venues. The latter, a complex which can be enlarged to up hold up to 8,000 spectators, is named after Alfréd Hajós, the first modern Olympic swimming champion and Hungary’s first Olympic gold medallist. The timeframe for the relocation and potential location for the new headquarters is unclear at this stage, but insidethegames has sought clarity from World Aquatics. Szijjártó stressed the importance of attracting World Aquatics to Hungary, and claimed its leaders want half of the new headquarters’ staff to be Hungarian. “It will of course be a huge recognition for Hungary if the global headquarters of the International Swimming Federation moves here to Budapest,” Szijjártó was quoted by the Budapest Times. State Secretary for Budapest Balázs Fürjes stepped down as a World Aquatics Bureau member in February, but was replaced by Hungarian Swimming Association President and Moscow 1980 Olympic gold medallist Sándor Wladár. World Aquatics rebranded from the International Swimming Federation and its FINA acronym last year. Budapest is expected to pursue its ambition to host a future Summer edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

IMC boss, Elegbeleye congratulates Dare on national award

Chairman of the nation’s league governing body, IMC, Gbenga Elegbeleye has congratulated former Sports Minister, Sunday Dare on the national award bestowed on him by former President Mohammed Buhari. Dare got the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) from President Buhari who did a farewell broadcast to the nation last Sunday morning. IMC boss, Elegbeleye who expressed joy over the honor done Dare said the Agbaakin of Ogbomosho land deserves the honor having served the country creditably well as sports minister in the last four years. “Dare has done well as sports minister and I am happy he is getting this national honor from a grateful nation. I want to also thank Mr President for deeming it fit to reward hard-work, patriotism and selfless service all of which Dare epitomizes,” Elegbeleye stated. The former DG of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC) noted that Dare has brought several innovations to Nigerian sports which includes the new lease of life which the nation’s domestic league is enjoying this season. “Dare has no doubt done well for Nigerian sports and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” Elegbeleye stated.

NSSF rolls out programmes for next quarter

President of School Sports Federation of Nigeria, Mrs. Bisi Joseph says her body will continue to encourage the combination of sports with education as a way of sustaining it’s discover a champion in every child project. She told our correspondent that immediately schools resumes for next term, the Federation will embark on activities that cut across the total development of the child which will involve celebration of sports, education and culture just as she announced that there will also be a programme titled, ‘ She Leads’ aimed at raising leaders among girls in schools. ” Our programme for the remaining part of the year is fully packed. Immediately schools resume for the first term, we’re going to embark on programmes that will cut across the total development of the child which will involve combining education with sports. There is also a programme known as ‘She Leads’ which is intended to use sports and make the girl child leaders in their various fields of human endeavour. ” We’re doing this because there is no way you’ll participate in sports without learning about leadership, development and team work and these are things you will be equipped with to become leaders in the nearest future. “You’re aware that there is an adage that says that when you develop a girl child, you develop a nation and that’s why we’re embarking on this project because we don’t just want to make the next generation take part in sports but to be very active and I think developing that type of life style is what we need. She further explained that there will be development of very physical sports like football, athletics and other sports where children will be encouraged to combine sports with their education. According to her, the second edition of input sports will come up in September this year following a successful first edition where they intend to raise the next generation of officiating and technical officials such as referees for football, basketball and umpires for table tennis amongst others.