In his address, Ng Ser Miang thanked the current Executive Committee of the ASAF in injecting the much needed breadth of fresh air and revitalising the sport in Asia. He brought out that in the next few years Asia would play host to many high profile sailing events and the time was ripe for ASAF MNA’s to encourage their sportspersons to strive for greater glory. He highlighted the need for development of adequate number of technical officials from Asia in the coming years so as to achieve self-sufficiency.

 

Training and Development Committee

Committee Chairman, Captain AR Arshad (Retd) put forward his report on plans for Training and Development Committee. He brought out the need for continued training and stated that the ASAF would target to double the number of Technical Officials from Asia by 2020.

 

He brought out that adequate budgetary support was available for ASAF MNA’s to organise Race Officials Clinics in conjunction with events hosted by them so as to ensure that aspiring officials were put through the right paces and be adequately prepared to attend World Sailing organised seminars and their subsequent qualification.  

 

IM Development and Coaches Training

Committee Chairperson, Aileen Loo in her report highlighted that there were currently only 7 qualified IM / Equipment Inspectors in Asia and brought out the need for training and encouraging more individuals so as to meet the needs of qualified IM / EI from within Asia. She brought out the proposed education plan that would be implemented in Asia with immediate effect in this direction.

 

She also highlighted the need for training and development of coaches within Asia. She brought out that a 05 day coach development clinic was scheduled at Shanghai in early July 17 in conjunction with the ASAF Sailing Cup #2.

 

Events Committee

The Events Committee Chairman, Captain Ajay Narang updated the delegates on the schedule of ASAF Youth Sailing Cup, ASAF Sailing Cup and ASAF Keelboat Cup for the year 2017.

 

A progress report was received from Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar and Japan on the various important events scheduled in their nations up to 2020.

 

Indonesia, the host nation for ASAF Asian Championship 2017 and Asian games 2018, could not attend the meeting. Keeping in view the events schedule for 2017, it was decided that the 2017 ASAF Asian Championships would be organised in Jakarta, Indonesia from 10 September 2017.

 

Oman put forward its bid to host the Youth Olympic Games Continental Qualifier in January 2018 at Oman and was accepted by the Executive Committee.

 

A number of other issues were also discussed and relevant recommendations were received from delegates.

 

The ASAF Treasurer, Lukman informed the delegates that as compared to the situation in 2012, where ASAF had only about 1200 USD in its account, the situation had improved many folds and the ASAF was heading in the right direction of becoming a self-sustained organisation. He brought out that effort to bring in more sponsors to support the ASAF activities were an ongoing effort of the Executive Committee and hoped that the in the near future more funds would be available to help the development and training activities. 

 

The meeting concluded with the announcement from Secretary General, Jason Lim that the Annual General Meeting of the Asian Sailing Federation will be held in August 2017 and the firm date and venue would be confirmed in due course.