Bob Kucera

Bob Kucera

Former Minister for Disability Services; Sport and Recreation; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests; Seniors

    Western Australian sport expertise to guide India

    1/09/2005 12:00 AM
     
    1/9/05

    Western Australian expertise has been chosen by India to help shape its sport system in preparation for hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

    Sport and Recreation Minister Bob Kucera said a team of Western Australian Department of Sport and Recreation officials had been invited by the Sports Authority of India to run a series of workshops to help establish blueprints for the development of sport in India.

    Areas where the team would help included:
    • the use of sports science in sport training;
    • managing the needs of elite athletes;
    • the benefits of utilising sports psychology for training and competition;
    • coach accreditation systems and their application; and
    • the construction and operation of low cost sport facilities.
    “India needs to renovate and build a number of new stadiums to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the links we are building will stand us in good stead to provide further advice,” Mr Kucera said.

    The Minister said the visit was the result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Governments of India and WA in April 2004.

    “While it is great that our sporting system has been recognised as a benchmark, perhaps even more important are the business opportunities this opens up for WA,” he said.

    “It is a credit to the capacity of WA’s sporting expertise and the high regard in which our officials are held internationally that a nation with a population of more than one billion people is seeking the advice and guidance of a State with two million people.

    “The link with India will also lead to more jobs and opportunities for Western Australians.”

    The Australia India Council will cover the cost of airfares and hotel accommodation in Delhi and the Indian Government will pay the cost of internal travel, food and accommodation outside Delhi.

    The team - led by Department of Sport and Recreation international project director Hallam Pereira - will include experts from the WA Institute of Sport, the University of Western Australia and the Department of Sport and Recreation. It will visit India from September 5.

    Minister's office: 9213 7000