The FAI Executive Board has taken a decision to further modernise the World Air Games concept and plans are being made to launch a new bidding process for the 2009 World Air Games.
Earlier this year, the FAI Executive Board confirmed the important role the World Air Games would play in the future as a federative force, bringing together all air sports. Now that the FAI Centenary project was complete, the Board had decided to explore new ways in which the World Air Games concept could be developed to become FAI's "flagship event", even more attractive for potential hosts, as well as for the top athletes who would compete to become "World Air Games Champions" ? the Champions of the Champions.
The FAI is working on this project with TSE Consulting, a well-known specialized sports consultancy with offices in the USA, UK, Bahrain, China and Switzerland. TSE Director Lars HAUE-PEDERSEN and Project Manager Caroline ANDERSON recently made a presentation in Lausanne to FAI Air Sport Commission representatives and the FAI Executive Board. They will carry out a detailed review and testing of the World Air Games concept among potential hosts, and help FAI to develop a new bid presentation package and tender documents by the end of September 2006.
The new bid process will be launched in October 2006 at the FAI General Conference in Santiago de Chile. The two phases of the process will be conducted in close liaison with Air Sport Commissions, and TSE proposes that an ad hoc FAI committee of 10-15 persons should select the organizers of the World Air Games 2009 at a high-profile event in Lausanne scheduled for the end of May 2007.
Mr Lars HAUE-PEDERSEN, Director of TSE Consulting, said : "This is an exciting project and it is positive to see a federation take the time to really think through their bidding process for the benefit of their partner hosts. With a great understanding of the needs and objectives of both the federation and the potential hosts, TSE is working to create the perfect match between the two".
FAI President Pierre PORTMANN added : "The World Air Games could be one of the biggest sporting events of 2009. It is important to the FAI to handle all aspects of promoting and organizing the Games properly. The Games will be magnificent to see and a perfect way to promote our sports, and we are happy to be working with TSE to ensure that we will have an event that works to the benefit of our hosts."
