World Class Award for Modern Pentathlon Federation in Ireland

A while ago, the NTSA helped out the MPAI by providing some equipment and some judges for their Europeans. It was a fun day out and it was good to see another large competition being run in Ireland. And now it turns out that they’ve won an award, the competition was so good:

World Class Award for Modern Pentathlon Federation in Ireland
posted: November 26, 2008

The Modern Pentathlon Association of Ireland was rewarded for the enormous success of the Youth B European Championships held in Dublin in July 2008, with an award from the Modern Pentathlon International Governing Body, UIPM at the World Congress in Guatemala.

The award for ‘Best New Competition’ was accepted on behalf of the MPAI by Robert Downes, MPAI President. The award was accepted alongside the Portuguese Federation who won ‘Best Promoted Competition’ for the Senior World Cup Final held in Lisbon in September, and Hungary, who were awarded ’Best Overall Competition’ for the Senior World Championships in Budapest.

Stephen Martin, OCI, passed on “congratulations to all who played a part in this great achievement for the MPAI. The Olympic Council of Ireland has already recognised the continued progress of the MPAI through allocation of a financial support package in July 2008”

MPAI Chairman Robert Downes said “The reward comes on the back of the steady progress in development of the sport in Ireland, and in particular the success of hosting the recent Youth B European Championships in Dublin.

The grant awarded by the OCI will be used to support development of broader participation in Modern Pentathlon and its constituent sports, through expansion of the biathlon program already initiated by the MPAI.

The grant will also enable the MPAI to consolidate and implement development of the elite performance program, and in particular continue to pursue eligibility for direct NGB (National Governing Body) funding through the Irish Sports Council.

We would like to thank the Olympic Council for its continued support, and recognition of the commitment and ability of the MPAI to successfully develop the sport in Ireland”