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CHANGE OF DATES FOR PORTO ALEGRE STADIA CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013 WMA President Stan Perkins confirmed today that the dates for the conduct of the 2013 WMA Stadia Championships in Porto Alegre, Brazil have been changed with the new dates being 15 to 27 October 2013. The Opening ceremony will take place on the first date with competition commencing on 16 October.

The change of dates had been requested by the LOC after an announcement that the Government had agreed to fund a complete renewal of the athletics and community facility known as CETE. Government officials met with WMA President Perkins and Secretary Winston Thomas in November to detail their plans and at that time confirmed that the full cost of the project had been approved so that work could proceed.

LOC Chairman and President of the Brazilian Masters Athletics, Francisco Hypolito, has advised that the work was to commence in January 2013 and is scheduled to be finished in June, 2013. The finish date was a major concern as the original dates for the competition were set for July and any delays with the project could have impacted the availability of the venue. Hence the decision was taken to seek a transfer of the Championships back to October.

The WMA Council have agreed to the request and praised the LOC and the Porto Alegre Government for their commitment to providing good facilities for the Championships. WMA President Stan Perkins stated ‘this is a very impressive project that incorporates a completely new track surface, all new throwing and jumping facilities, new gymnasium facilities as well as bathroom and change room facilities and a multi story building that will house a Sports Academy in the future. In addition there will be new catering facilities, public areas and seating facilities incorporated into the project. There are also ongoing considerations to convert the existing school that adjoins the track into an accommodation facility. All of theses facilities will be available for the WMA Championships and as a consequence this venue will now become the number one stadium in 2013’.

Mr. Hypolito also indicated that a funding application had been submitted to the government for the renewal of the athletics facilities at ESEF University and a decision on this funding will be known within a week or two. This facility has already been approved to be developed as a major field event venue with the construction of many facilities to meet the demands of the Championships. Should the government approve this application ESEF will also provide excellent facilities as it already has very good change rooms, an indoor gymnasium and a large cafeteria where meals are served throughout the day and evening.