Dili, February 6, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The President of Timor-Leste Athletics Federation Afriano Xavier held a reunion with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MJDAC) to discuss sports activities related to athleticism that will take place in 2025.
He said, in a meeting with His Excellency MJDAC Minister Nélio Isac Sarmento conveyed two important points regarding the athletic competition.
“The first is the CPLP match which is also in accordance with the athletic modality in it, the second is the preparation for the national championship which we conveyed for various reasons, because the implementation of the national championship will be held in Ermera starting early April.” Said the President of Athletics, Afriano Xavier
He informed that this national championship will compete in two categories, such as young athletes aged 16 years and senior athletes.
“The young people will be selected to form a national team that will represent Timor Leste in the CPLP match, while senior athletes will select to choose athletes who have the potential to be prepared to compete in international events such as the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok,” he said.
He explained that before the ASEAN Games, there had been a trial in May in South Korea, another in September in Japan, so all these programs received a acceptance, direction from His Excellency the Ministry to be able to run state finances well and also with a full sense of responsibility, not to violate the provisions of the laws that are already in force in the MJDAC.
He said, this orientation must be able to prepare for the creation of good athlete conditions and also prepare the technicalities that will later be used to realize the national championship as a basis.
“Because through the national championship there are two categories, such as the young category and the senior category, to prepare for the CPLP match which also marks the presence of nine CPLP participating countries, then in the Southeast Asia and ASEAN regions we prepare for the SEA Games which will be held in the capital city of Bangkok,” he said.
Before the SEA Games, we had to conduct two trials, namely in May in South Korea and in September in Japan, because the condition of the stadium in Dili was still under repair by the company, so it could not be used yet. The team chose Baucau and Ermera, but the Ministry allowed the athletics federation to hold the championship in Ermera.
On that occasion, the Head of Athletics advised the Athletics Association of 13 Municipalities/Cities to prepare themselves well so that they can bring quality athletes to the national level.
“Because of you, we already have a formation, so don’t just wait for an invitation to send athletes here, but the athletes that we have formed, must be able to train athletes with prime conditions, because if they enter the national championship they must be able to compete more competitive,” he said.
The Municipal Association from now on still has several months to train athletes in good condition, so that the results that occur at the national championship are in good condition.
“We have said that we have two techniques, one from Cuba, Mr. Sergio Cario, he can provide assistance to the federation so that they can train our people with good techniques, so that they can meet the requirements of young athletes in the CPLP competition,” he explained.
In relation to the financial proposal that has been received, the team is currently designing the proposal because there are two events that will be realized and adding modalities depending on who can compete to be allocated with the modalities can then be decided.
Therefore, the Athlete Team currently cannot mention the amount of funds, because it is not yet known, the Team will add up the financial value that will be applied to the national championship into two categories.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania