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18 Sep 2009 11:49:29
The University of Bedfordshire’s ‘world-class’ facilities have attracted more interest as countries seek out pre-Games training opportunities for London 2012.
Dr Kefu Ma, Chef de Mission for the Papua New Guinea Paralympic Committee, toured the Bedford campus yesterday (Thursday, 17 September) with a view to using the University’s facilities.
His flying visit took in the Bedford and Luton campuses as well as several venues throughout the region.
Dr Ma was at Polhill to assess the accommodation and sports science/sports facilities which the University has on offer via the 2012 facilities training camps brochure.
Papua New Guinea had just two athletes competing in the last Paralympics in Beijing but hope that this will increase to four or five, plus a coach, and one or more powerlifters, for London 2012.
It is looking to bring their athletes to England in 2011 after the World Athletics Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, or in early 2012, for a period of pre-Games training.
And then it is also looking for its team to start a six to eight week training camp before moving into the Olympic village.
Papua New Guinea is the third country to have toured the University following earlier visits by Rwanda and Bermuda. A number of other countries has also expressed an interest in pre-Games training opportunities locally.
A number of European, African and Far East countries have been lured by BOOST, an organisation set up in an attempt to bring the benefit of the Olympics and Paralympics to Bedfordshire.
Professor David Barrett, who is a member of BOOST, said on behalf of the University: "Dr Ma was duly impressed with facilities at Bedford, with particular reference to ASC (the Alexander Sports Centre) and the Liberty Park accommodation."
The University, on behalf of BOOST, is looking forward to being visited by the Ivory Coast in the near future.
Latest news» 2009» September» New country tours Bedford campus to view sports facilities
