Beijing, Dec. 10 (Reporter Zhang Shuzhuo) According to information provided by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the 2013 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Sports Department meeting was recently held in Manchester, UK, with representatives from various IFSC technical committees and executive committee members in attendance. The meeting decided to encourage active development of youth climbing across all continents.
The meeting identified youth as the key focus of IFSC’s future work. Plans include increasing investment in promoting youth climbing and encouraging all continents to actively develop youth climbing. The IFSC commended China for organizing the National Youth Climbing Hope Star series of competitions, which help promote the growth of youth climbing. The meeting also decided to modify a series of competition rules to enhance the spectator experience, ensuring audiences can learn match results in real time and enjoy the excitement of the sport; strengthen collaboration with the media to further promote and popularize climbing. It is understood that TV media in countries such as Japan and South Korea have shown interest in purchasing broadcasting rights and video materials of IFSC competitions.
The Sports Department meeting is a regular event of the IFSC, held annually after the end of each competitive season. Its main agenda includes summarizing the year’s competitions, revising and refining competition rules, and formulating plans and development strategies for the coming year. This meeting also discussed matters related to the 2014 competition schedule, market development, event safety, doping tests, competition uniforms, and more. The next IFSC Sports Department meeting will be held from December 4–6, 2014, in Munich, Germany.