Athletics Vanuatu has a newly elected president this month, with David Benjamin taking over the leadership role.

Benjamin steps into the position after former interim president Antoine Boutier, who held the role for more than three years.

His election took place last week during the federation’s official meeting, where members selected him to lead Athletics Vanuatu for the next two years.

Speaking to VBTC Sports, President Benjamin said one of his first priorities is to rebuild the foundation of athletics through schools.

He explained that athletics once played a major role in Vanuatu sport, winning medals at regional competitions, but in recent years the federation has seen a decline.

Benjamin said his executive team wants to strengthen grassroots development and build a stronger pathway from schools into elite competition.

“Mifala e stap traem best blong mifala blong leftemap e go more bitim level weh e stap before. First of all hemi blong work wetem ol skuls, yumi saveh everytime foundation hemi important.”

He said the focus will also include improving standards for elite athletes so performances can rise again at regional and Pacific competitions.

A major concern raised by the new president is the lack of sponsorship and funding, which he described as one of the biggest challenges facing the federation.

Benjamin is now calling on business houses and private sector partners to support the sport and invest in the future of young athletes.

“Spos you gat heart blong sport, you gat heart blong bildimap ol pikinini blong Vanuatu blong oli kam wan top sports man long Vanuatu and not only Vanuatu beh also long world, me stap askem you blong you traem invest e kam long athletics.”

He thanked federation members for placing their trust in him and his executive team.