The World Academy of Sport (WAoS) is in Bahrain this week to deliver the second module of a three part programme to the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) which thus far has been described as "unique, helpful and highly recommended." WAoS strives to teach National Federations how to improve their effectiveness and ensure they can maintain a high level of professional management across sport in the country.

WAoS also looks at the wider picture at how a federation can act to improve in order to benefit the athlete and aid them on their path to success. By doing so, the BOC can reflect on their current systems and adapt them for the good of its athletes. The athlete is of course, at the heart of any national federation's structure.

The workshop, which began on Sunday 31st April, and carries on until 4th April, aims to define the athlete pathway - the road to success - and connecting it to the federation's operations.

Salman Hubail, who has a long history in sport, views the programme as an all round success.

Having entered the world of sport back in 1994 as an Administrator for the Sitra Basketball team, he was subsequently elected as Secretary General of the club in 2001 and today he works as an advisor to the board members.  He admits however, that he expected little from the programme. "I've already attended what I believed was a similar sports management course, so I thought I would only gain a little from this programme." And with a brighter, more positive tone, he added: "But I can honestly say that I have learnt a lot during these first two modules."   Swiftly expanding on his words, he retrospectively draws out one element from the course that helped set this programme aside from others. "Unlike previous sports management courses, this programme gave the chance for discussion, presenting ideas and interacting. Previously I was just answering questions, but now I am given the chance to interact, and I find it very helpful"

In all, it goes to show that, no matter how experienced you are in your field of work, there are always new ideas and strategies to adopt, new suggestions to consider and different ways to improve. As successful as the programme has been for WAoS, what matters more, what is truly important is that those attending the programme can learn from what is said by the presenters and fellow participants. That they take on board new ideas and utilize them to improve the standard of their work throughout Bahrain, which makes WAoS a long term, beneficial difference.

The topic of conversation moves on to looking forward, to the future. As he says so himself, he has acquired a wealth of new ideas, but does he have any plans to capitalize on this information? "Yeah, for sure," is his sharp, succinct answer; "especially for designing a strategic plan." 

The last thing Salman says, as he wraps up his thoughts and feelings on the programme, ring true to WAoS' overall philosophy of creating a long term difference. He puts it simply but it is all that needs to be said about the work of WAoS and the programme: "I have certainly learnt a lot of practical information to help me in my career."

The third and final workshop takes place in Bahrain in 16th-20th June 2013.