2017 World Surfing Games in Good Hands - Federations Focus

(ATR) The French coastal city of Biarritz is receiving high marks from the International Surfing Association (ISA) as it prepares to host the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games.

The ISA "expressed its high level of satisfaction" in a statement following a site visit four months before the annual event begins on May 20.

This year’s competition, which runs through May 28, has added importance as a showcase for the federation’s plans for Tokyo 2020, where surfing will make its Olympic debut. Surfing was added to the Tokyo 2020 Sports Program only last August.

"As the ISA’s flagship annual event, the World Surfing Games is an amazing celebration of Surfing and national pride," said ISA president Fernando Aguerre in a statement. "This will also be a great opportunity to showcase how we intend to create a surf and beach festival atmosphere at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games."

Biarritz last hosted the event in 1980. In recent years, the World Surfing Games have been held in Latin America with Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Peru doing the honors.

WBSC Welcomes Pakistan Baseball Development

The federal government of Pakistan is endorsing the World Baseball Softball Confederation by providing more resources to develop baseball in the country.

WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari tells Around the Rings the recognition of the sport by the country is one of the highest honors a federation can receive.

"More and more high-potential countries like Pakistan are embracing the practice of baseball/softball and are thereby connecting to a global sports community and fan base," Fraccari says.

"It's also a great way to promote the country. It's a win-win."

Pakistan currently ranks 24th in the WBSC world rankings out of 72 countries. In order to fuel the country’s rise up the ranks, the Pakistan Sports Board is collaborating with the Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB) to host more international events.

The PFB is also considering launching the region’s first international baseball league, an undertaking that would likely need support from surrounding countries such as India, Iran, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The increases in baseball development and participation around the globe bode well for the sport as it returns to the Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020. Baseball and softball is one of five sports additions along with surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing and karate.

"WBSC welcomes this exciting, high-level collaboration that not only immediately raises the profile of baseball in Pakistan, but also boosts the positioning of our growing global sport in this high-potential region," Fraccari said in a statement.

"WBSC fully expects to see a continued acceleration in new and strengthened baseball/softball activities around the globe leading to Tokyo 2020 and beyond."

Curling Teams Up With WADA

The World Curling Federation (WCF) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) are teaming up in the battle for clean sport.

The two organizations for the first time will be partnering together to deliver WADA’s Legacy Outreach Program at the VoIP Defender World Junior Curling Championships 2017 in Gangneung, Korea from February 16-26.

The WADA initiative is designed to assist International Federations (IFs) in delivering sustainable anti-doping awareness programs for their athletes.

There will be a significant social media presence for the program during the championships with pictures and videos being posted to promote the hashtags #CurlClean and #PlayTrue.

"I truly believe there is no better way to do this than to deliver this message to our young athletes in a fun and engaging way," WCF president Kate Caithness said in a statement.

Competitors, coaches and staff will have the opportunity to sign the Clean Sport Pledge, a popular WADA initiative that has been run at international sports events.

"WADA is very pleased to partner with the WCF on this latest Legacy Outreach event," said Olivier Niggli, WADA Director General. "Curling is a great example of a sport playing its part to maintain a level playing field for its athletes."

Similar outreach programs have been run by the International Triathlon Union, international ski federation FIS, International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and international cycling union UCI over the past two years.

Third Candidate for ITTF President

Jean- Michel Saive has been named the third candidate for the position of ITTF president.

The former World Champion and Olympic athlete is currently a member of the Athletes Commission of European Olympic Committees.

Upon the announcement of his candidacy Savie revealed an 11 point program with topics including putting table tennis first, sport for all and stability.

According to the program "good governance and good management" is Savie’s number one priority. If elected Savie ensures that the ITTF will follow "all aspects of good management and respects all principles of good governance" in sport.

Savie will be competing against current ITTF president Thomas Weikert of Germany and Weikert's second in command and deputy general to the ITTF, Khalil Al-Mohannadi of Qatar.

Each candidate has emphasized an increase in table tennis participation across the globe and the need to increase marketing opportunities in their campaign platforms.

The deadline for National Associations to submit nominations for presidential candidates is April 30. The election will be held May 31 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Written by Gerard Farek, Kevin Nutley and Courtney Colquitt.

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