Preliminary ISF visit to Budapest – HSSF is ready to organise the 2016 cross country world schools’ championship

The delegation of International School Sport Federation (ISF) , represented by Mr. Stelios Daskalakis (S.D.), vice-president of the organisation and Mr. Jaroslav Koukal (J.K.), president of the Technical Committee of cross-country running visited Budapest last month to receive information on the next year’s ISF world schools’ champs in cross country, due to be organised by Hungarian School Sport Federation in the heart of Budapest. They were available for a short interview and Éva Horváth, colleague of HSSF found the opportunity to ask them on their experiences

HSSF: In HSSF’s life next year’s cross country event is going to be a major event. From the point of view of an ISF representative, does the venue has significant importance? 

J.K.:

I have to say I’m personally very happy that cross country 2016 will be in Hungary because I remember the case between Hungary and Israel some years ago (Hungary has withdrawn in favour of Israel). I was happy that you gave the preference to Israel for 2014 because for them it was very important that time. I appreciated this step from your side very much and I am looking forward to coming to Budapest next year. I’m sure it will be a nice event here. As of the importance of cross country – it is necessary to say that this kind of athletics is at the same level like other sports. I cannot say that it is better or weaker, it is simply the same. But the big advantage of cross country is that the organizer can invite participating countries even at the very last moment. There is no playing system, there is only race area and it is up to organizers if they are willing and able to accept also the late applications.

S.D.: For ISF, the Cross Country World Schools’ Championship is a very important event because of the character of the sport, as most of the athletes come from Athletics. So it is very special because they are here not only to compete, not only to win but also get some cultural and other kinds of joy of participation and feel the culture and the sense of the city and the people around the event, so it is a special event in general. HSSF is also a dynamic new organizer for the ISF events and we feel happy to have Hungary back in organizing ISF events. The place is great, Budapest and Hungary are excellent and the people here are very friendly and professional at the same time, so we are happy to be here and have cross country in Budapest.

HSSF: What were your impressions of the future venues of the competition?

J.K.: Originally I was informed that the race will be in another park, and I have to say that the second choice is better. Margaret Island is very famous place and the grass surface and the area are really very good. During our visit I could visit also the 30th race of Budapest half marathon and I could see that the venue is a paradise for runners in the Hungarian capital.

S.D.: The tracks for both the competition and friendship relay are really very beautiful, the site is wonderful, and we hope the weather will help to stage a really excellent event. As I noticed during the preliminary visit the preparation from the side of HSSF is of professional level, so we hope that students from all around world who will be the participants of 2016 cross country will really enjoy a great hospitality, great race track and they will feel really happy to be here.

HSSF: What are ISF’s expectations regarding the cross country event in 2016 in Hungary?

J.K.: This question is more suitable for the high representatives of ISF, I simply expect a very well organized event and a friendly atmosphere.

S.D.: The main expectations from all ISF Events are the following: first and above all, to have a professional level of preparation followed by a successful event. I have noticed during our preliminary visit that the preparation so far reaches the professional level that we need. The second major expectation is that each organising country has to involve the local culture, local sport culture, local sport history somehow in the event, and Hungary has a very rich sport history thus we expect to have a wonderful, outstanding event.

HSSF: Did you form any sort of suggestions for the organizers during the visit?

J.K.: I did, but it was done long time ago, and during the preliminary visit it was perfectly prepared. We were surprised how nice booklet we received. It is really on the highest possible level and we, together with ISF Delegate Stelios Daskalakis, appreciated it very much.

Do you have any other comments or suggestions for the organizers?

Very small: I would like to know whether to run the Friendship Relay to the left or to the right J. The place – Citadella – is amazing, we visited it. I wish the weather next year will be the same like the day of our visit.

S.D.: As I said before, one of the most important points is to put the Hungarian style and culture in the Event. Regarding this point, I think a very good job has been done so far. As an important ISF target for the near future is to include students with disability of any kind to ISF Events, maybe a form of participation for students with disabilities can be developed for the 2016 cross country Event. But this is just a rough idea of mine, which for sure needs further elaboration and cooperation from both ISF and HSSF sides. We can talk about it further on, I just hope that we can make even a small step towards this important target of inclusion.

Thank you for the interview.