Ekaterina Khuraskina (RUS) wins World Academy of Sport scholarship with funding for two more UIPM sports representatives

Modern Pentathlon representatives from across Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa have been awarded financial supports to study at the World Academy of Sport (WAoS).

The third intake of athletes, coaches and administrators from across the Pentathlon family is being led by Olympian and former Modern Pentathlon World Champion Ekaterina Khuraskina (RUS) who has been awarded a full scholarship to study the prestigious Sports Management course at the University of London.

The financial support for Khuraskina is being provided as part of the memorandum of understanding between UIPM and WAoS. For the first time, the UIPM has also committed to further supporting two candidates whose strong applications had been awarded partial funding for the programme. 

Rex de la Cruz (PHI), a national Modern Pentathlon coach from the Philippines, and Jawid Khawar (AFG), a former administrator with the Afghanistan National Olympic committee, were the successful applicants who had 25% of their fees covered by the WAoS Academic Pathway programme and the received further significant financial supports from the UIPM.

The globally-recognised Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in International Sports Management has been collaboratively developed by the University of London and WAoS and aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the latest sport management strategies and develop the skills needed for the professional management of organisations and projects within the dynamic sport industry.  

Khuraskina has recently returned to training and competition after giving birth to her daughter just six months ago. The Russian was crowned women’s World Champion in 2010, competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is a two-time European Champion, most recently in 2019, and was twice named Russia’s best pentathlete.

“I want to express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to study at the University of London, one of the top places for studies,” said Ekaterina Khuraskina (RUS). “I am happy to receive a full grant for the entire duration of my studies. For me, this is a unique opportunity to gain new knowledge in such an interesting field as sports management but also through learning to improve my English. I am very interested to learn new strategies and methods of management and organization in sports. And I am sure that this will allow me to achieve my goals after the end of my sports career as a manager in sports”.

Jawid Khawar (AFG) currently works as international relations manager at the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation and is eager to help development of Modern Pentathlon in his native Afghanistan and across the Middle East.

He said: “When I started the Sport as my full-time job and career back in 2014 with the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee, I was always dreaming of studying sport management in one of the prestigious universities of the World. Now it is a reality with the help of the UIPM and World Academy of Sport. My involvement in sport organizations have proven me the importance of the academic knowledge in the field and the impact it can make. I believe these opportunities for the Pentathlon community is a huge investment in sport and the Olympic movement.

“The importance of academic knowledge in the field of sport in underdeveloped countries are more than a need; it is vital. I feel the responsibility and commitment on my shoulders for this opportunity. A great thanks goes to all involved in this project.”

Rex de la Cruz (PHI) said: ”This opportunity provided by UIPM and WAoS will open my access to the international sports community. Its inclusivity to everyone allows a wider range of understanding about International Sports Management. As a National Coach of a newly founded sports association in the Philippines, I firmly believe that this program is very vital in creating a world-class sports management foundation for Modern Pentathlon in our country."

The provision of educational opportunities with WAoS is part of UIPM’s commitment to athletes through the Athletes Centered Programme (ACP). The UIPM is constantly working to create new educational opportunities for athletes and the wider Pentathlon family in the belief that such efforts can only be a benefit as successful applicants contribute to the community.

UIPM President Dr. Klaus Schormann said: “On behalf of the UIPM Executive Board I am delighted to see three more members of our Pentathlon community benefit from this incredible opportunity. 

“Our sport is strongly linked to the world of education and academia and we have always believed in the power of education as the best path for our community to give back to the sport. We are delighted to continue partnering with the World Academy of Sport to enable our athletes but also NF officials, staff and volunteers to further their knowledge and equip themselves for a wonderful future in sport.”