Manchester established as International Sporting Knowledge Capital City

11 Dec 2009

The World Academy of Sport has brought together International sporting dignitaries to serve on its International Advisory Board (IAB) launched here in Manchester on 4 December.

The Academy’s education headquarters, based at Manchester Business School, has partnered with Manchester City Council and the University of Manchester to host the first IAB meeting at the Town Hall, ensuring that the city is recognised as a leading global centre of knowledge for sport, and ensuring key international education and sport decisions are made here.

The Chairman, Ex Director General of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Francois Carrard commented

“Manchester which is already an established world leader in major international sporting event delivery, will now also act as the international education hub for the IAB due to its excellent reputation for world class sports knowledge and education delivered through the University of Manchester. “

The Board has two well defined mandates, one to establish global industry standards for global sport education and two, to identify and address projects of global significance in support of the industry standards; both are significant in addressing issues which will arise as we move forward in a business sector that is both dynamic and challenging. The Board will endeavour to provide guidance and influence for industry growth through skill development, innovation and leadership, which will impact upon all federations/sectors of the sporting community in all corners of the globe.

Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council said: "Manchester is renowned as a world leader for hosting major international sporting events and is extremely well placed to become the recognised international capital for sports knowledge. British Cycling, England Squash, International Netball Federation and the Professional Footballers Association are just a few of the many national sports’ bodies to be based in Manchester and the formation of the World Academy of Sport International Advisory Board here will ensure that key educational international sport decisions are made in the city."