Funding is in short supply

A WORLD Cup series meet is still a possibility for the Leisureland Complex in Salthill next March, it was revealed yesterday.

IASA secretary Celia Millane said: "Aspirations to have the meet held as part of the World Cup series continue to be on hold as the level of funding needed to finance this type of meet is beyond the IASA at present. Major sponsorship keeps this meet going abroad but, as yet, it does not appear that Irish sponsors will commit themselves."

Meanwhile, there are numerous events of interest listed in the run up to the Salthill event. These include the Age Group Distance meet which was originally scheduled for Belfast on February 3rd but which now goes on in Athlone.

The gala is well timed as it provides the under 12s, 14s and 17s with an opportunity of getting in a little competition over 400 metres, 800 metres individual medley and 1,500 metres.

The Trojan Age Group gala and the Munster Winter championships are fixed for next Saturday and Sunday while the Leinster B gala is arranged for the following weekend. There are also the Munster Grade C, Leinster Open Springs and the Ulster 100 meets on January 20th-21st. The Masters come into their own when Aer Lingus present their tests, as well as a graded meeting, on January 27th-28th.

The Association's agm is scheduled for January 26th-27th in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire.