Kampar, Malaysia, July 17, 2024: Wissam Trkmani, OCA Special Projects and Olympic Solidarity Manager, played the role of Santa Claus as he relayed the information that funds were available for national triathlon federations to help develop their athletes.
After the dust had settled, and at the tail end of the last day of presentations and training on Tuesday, July 16, the 25 coaches at the OCA triathlon youth development camp were given a huge boost when they were informed that their national federations could apply for funds to help in the growth of athletes.
“There are two ways you can apply for funds through Olympic Solidarity, one through the world programme which is run by the International Olympic Committee and the other through the continental programme which the OCA handles,” Trkmani revealed.
It was sweet music to most of the triathlon coaches from 25 Asian National Olympic Committees who face issues with funding.
In his popular presentation, Trkmani took the coaches through the OCA/Olympic Solidarity continental programmes, underlining the fact that money was given out for individual sports to develop athletes.
He highlighted that the eight-day residential OCA Triathlon Youth Development Camp was part of this programme, whereby the OCA undertook the responsibility of developing a particular sport targeting young athletes, coaches and officials.
“Every year we pick a sport and have a camp like this. In the past we have held camps for swimming, diving and ice hockey, among other sports. But this is just one facet of funding. Your national federations can also apply for funding,” Trkmani said.
He added: “You have to apply through your NOC. For special projects, we give a minimum of US$10,000.”
Trkmani explained the application process where federations could request money to hold development projects as well as apply for athlete supporting grants.
It was a case of ‘show me the money’, and many coaches were delighted. “We knew the OCA funds the NOCs annually, but we did not know these other programmes existed. We are grateful to the OCA for highlighting this,” said one coach.
