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BAHRAIN'S dreams of hosting the 2013 World Cross Country Championship could be scuppered by redevelopment plans, organisers fear. President of the Bahrain Athletic Association, Shaikh Talal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa expressed his concerns about the proposed venue for staging the prestigious sporting event.
Shaikh Talal said: "We are planning to host the championship at the Bahrain Horseracing and Equestrian Club in Sakhir where we had organised many other tournaments in the past such as the Arabian Cross Country, Asian Cross Country and Military Cross Country Championships.
"What's worrying me is that the government has plans to redevelop that entire area so I just hope that the track will remain intact. I am concerned that the track will be closed for a period of time and once we have the final go-ahead from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) about holding the championships then the date will be set and that is it.
"I don't mind if the government redevelops the whole area but I am just worried about the track because it's already in accordance to the IAAF rules and regulations and we know it well.
"I know we have the support of IAAF as they would like to have this race in Bahrain and the region. They are happy with how we have collaborated with them over the past five years and the president of the IAAF has visited Bahrain on many occasions.
"We have the full support from the government for athletics and the IAAF as they would both like to see us as a kingdom do more and host more events. The Championship usually takes place in March."
The BAA had submitted a letter confirming its intent to the IAAF during its recent council meeting held in Doha on the sidelines of the World Indoor Athletics Championships.
According to technical director, Lounes Madene, the BAA must now present the IAAF with the complete documentation of all things related to the event, including athletes' accommodation, transportation to the competition venue and so on. This will then be presented to the sport's governing body in September.
IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss will also be visiting Bahrain to inspect the competition facilities and a decision is expected to be made by November of this year.
This year's World Championships are being held in Poland on March 28. Bahrain is set to compete with several of its top young athletes.
Shaikh Talal added: "We have five girls and seven boys competing this year. Some of them are our top athletes such as world champion Mariam Jamal who is ranked number one by the IAAF. Our athletes have already been in Poland in 2009 for a training camp so they are aware of what's to come."
