Athletics: Plan for president to lead from top

BRITISH Athletics plans to introduce an all-powerful president atop a radically streamlined structure in the wake of last October's financial collapse.

Dave Moorcroft, chief executive of UK Athletics 98, is in the middle of the a wide ranging consultation exercise over the reordering of the sport.

Among the proposals which have been agreed by a steering group under the chairmanship of Sir Christopher Chataway are the appointment of an unpaid presidential figure who would be responsible for the hiring or firing of a chief executive.

The president, who would be elected directly by club members, would probably serve for a four-year period.

The structure underneath would be devoid of the unwieldy committees which made decision-making so difficult.

Theoretically, all the new body needs to constitute itself is the approval of the sports governing body, the International Amateur Athletic Federation, but Moorcroft wants to ensure that the acrimony of previous years is not repeated and is seeking to win the hearts and minds of the rank and file, who will vote on new proposals this autumn.

On 8 April in Birmingham Moorcroft will embark on the first of a series of roadshows to gauge opinions and build on the suggestions of working parties involving athletes, administrators and the media.

Moorcroft has received clear indications that the English Sports Council is ready to increase funding significantly to support an appropriate structure.

The promotion of major domestic meetings will be contracted out. An announcement is expected over the successful bidder within a fortnight - with Alan Pascoe International thought to be the favourite.