Twenty countries will be helped on their way to the Lifesaving World Championships 2024 on the Gold Coast after being accepted into the event’s Developing Nations Incentive Program.

Surf Life Saving Queensland and International Life Saving (ILS) developed the initiative to further promote ILS’s objectives to lead, collaborate and partner with national and international organisations to prevent drowning, promote the provision of lifesaving services and oversee lifesaving sport throughout the world.

National Teams which have ILS Category C Full Membership were offered the opportunity to apply for financial support  subject to meeting the selection criteria and following the selection process by the LWC 2024 Local Organising Committee and ILS.

Ron Rankin AM, LWC 2024 Organising Committee Chair and Project Director, said the program will allow some nations to attend the event which may have been financially out of reach.

“It is incredibly important the Lifesaving World Championships don’t only showcase the best in lifesaving sport, but that we use this opportunity to spread knowledge around the globe,” he said. “It’s no secret Australia is a long way to come and some of our friends from places such as South America and Africa would not be able to make it here without some assistance.

“I’m extremely grateful to the Queensland Government for funding this initiative which will only add to the truly international nature of the event.”

The nations successful in their application to the Developing Nations Incentive Program are:

• Americas:  Argentina, Brazil, Haiti
• Africas:  Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Uganda
• Asia Pacific:  Indonesia, India, Lebanon, Malaysia, Sri Lanka
• Europe:  Czech Republic

In addition to meetings and conferences which bring together the lifesaving community from around the world, the event features 10 Championships including  both beach and pool events, with competition taking place across the Masters, Interclub and National Teams categories.

Proudly partnered with ILS, Queensland Government, Tourism and Events Queensland and Experience Gold Coast, LWC 2024 takes place on the Gold Coast from Tuesday 20 August to Sunday 8 September.

The 2024 Life Saving World Championships is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government, featuring on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

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