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Record Sports Council Funding For Equestrian Sector
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THE
Irish Sports Council today (Wednesday) announced a dramatic increase
in High Performance funding for equestrian sport when it allocated
350,000 euro for 2004, an increase of 98,000 euro on the 2003 figure.
Coupled
with the Sports Council's core grant of 470,950 euro announced last
week, this brings the 2004 total to a record 820,950 euro.
EFI
President Avril Doyle, MEP said: <<We are very gratified at
the increased level of support our sector is receiving from the
Irish Sports Council. With the Olympics looming large in everyone's
minds, this generous contribution in High Performance funding for
2004 will greatly assist our show jumpers, eventers , and dressage
riders in
their preparation for, and participation in, the Athens Olympics,
and will considerably ease the burden of fundraising.
She
continued: <<I would like to thank the ISC for their continued
faith in the equestrian olympic disciplines. We will do everything
in our power to reward their generosity through our endeavours in
Athens.>>
ISC
funding to the EFI is as follows:
2004 Core Grant 470,950 euro (+3,000 euro on 2003 figure)
2004 High Performance Grant 350,000 euro (+98,000 euro on 2003 figure)
Total
2004 funding 820,950 euro (+101,000 euro on 2003 figure)
Meanwhile,
the Equestrian Federation of Ireland also announced today that it
will be moving its offices to Goff's, Kildare Paddocks, Co. Kildare,
on March 15, 2004.
After
15 years based at Ashton House, in Castleknock, Dublin, the move
is part of the governing body's modernisation programme, launched
in February last year. The new offices will not only give better
access to those doing business with the EFI, but will also provide
conference facilities that will allow all Executive, Directors',
and Annual General meetings to be held at Kildare Paddocks.
EFI
Secretary-General Dan Butler said:<< The move to Kildare Paddocks
will allow us to provide a superior service to our affiliate organisations,
and brings us more into proximity with the equestrian hub. Several
of our major affiliates are already based there, such as the SJAI,
Eventing Ireland, and the Pony Society.>>
Phone
numbers and other access details will be provided nearer the time
of the move, and will also appear on the EFI website, www.horsesport.ie
http://www.horsesport.ie
.
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