17 March 2006 - The Wadi Degla Sporting Club will host the first ever FITA archery center

The Wadi Degla Sporting Club will host the first ever FITA archery center

Lausanne - 17 March 2006

Following the decision taken by FITA and supported by the International Olympic Committee to set up an archery center in the Middle East region, we have already announced the hiring of the well known Korean archery Coach, Mr. KIM Hyung-Tak. We have also announced the choice of Cairo for hosting this center.

After a deep study of various potential host locations, a final selection has been made: the Wadi Degla Sporting Club (meaning the Sporting Club of the Degla Valley) located in the Maadi neighbourhood of Cairo district.

Created in 2003 the Wadi Degla Sporting Club is a private multi-sports center offering 14 sports and having already 3500 family as members (+/- 15 000 members). 4400 employees are working in this 37-hectare property.

The Direction of this center strives to push 6 or 7 sports to the elite level, for instance:

·        Football has a section of the famous British club ARSENAL

·        The tennis academy is under the umbrella of the famous player Juan Carlos FERRERO

Because the Wadi Degla Sporting Club had already opened an archery academy, the Club Managers were very interesting in hosting the FITA Middle East Archery Center. In order to host this center in good conditions, the Wadi Degla Sporting Club has committed to:

·        build a specific archery range of 70 x 110 m

·        construct a 4-room building for technical purpose (equipment reparation, office, archers’ room, storage) along the range

·        renovate their 8 rooms for the accommodation of the participants

·        offer low accommodation prices.

In recognition of the exceptional efforts of the Wadi Degla Sporting Club, FITA has granted this club as partner of its Development fund, joining some prestigious partners such as Hoyt, Win&Win, Easton, Samick, Rosa, and Danage.

On March 4 at the Council for Sport of Egypt, an official agreement has been signed between the Wadi Degla Sporting Club, FITA and the Egyptian Archery Federation. The purpose of this agreement is to clarify how to operate the FITA Middle East Archery center as best as possible.

The center will receive elite archers from an extended Middle East region in order to train them for preparing the highest international contests, including the Olympic Games.  Also coaching education will be provided to the National archery coaches.

National teams out of the Middle East region will be also eligible in benefiting of this center upon availability.

The following countries are already under registration process: Afghanistan, Estonia, Iran and India. In addition, 8 more countries are also considering using the FITA Middle East Archery Center in a near future. Moreover, a delegation from Estonia is currently training in this new centre.

Registrations are accepted as of April 1 when the FITA Middle East Archery Center will be under full operation.

Further information on this center and the registration process, please contact the FITA Development and Training Director, Mr. Pascal COLMAIRE (pcolmaire@archery.org).