Monaco, November 19, 2021: Japan has been named as one of six finalists for the 2021 Member Federation Award by World Athletics.
The six nominees – one from each of World Athletics’ area associations – were announced on November 18 ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2021 to be held virtually on Wednesday, December 1.
First awarded last year, the Member Federation Award honours a national governing body that has gone above and beyond to serve its athletes, fans and greater community.
Each of the six area associations was asked to nominate three member federations. A vote by the World Athletics Executive Board selected the six finalists, one from each area association.
The Japan Association of Athletics Federations is the candidate from Asia. World Athletics says: “One of the oldest member federations in Asia, Japan this year achieved an important milestone in its history when it hosted the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“The country achieved two medals: a silver and a bronze in the men’s 20km race walk – an area of the sport that has thrived in recent years. The country is now one of the strongest race-walking nations in the world and continues to perform consistently well across most athletics disciplines.
“JAAF has also developed an active network of local athletics associations, organising annual championships for various age groups and a sophisticated training system for coaches.”
The other five nominees are: Australia (Oceania), Kenya (Africa), Czech Republic (Europe), Costa Rica (North and Central America and the Caribbean) and Ecuador (South America).