UIPM steps up global community integration with appointment of Obstacle Task Force (OTF)

• President Stull supported by pan-continental members on 10-strong panel
• Specialists from Obstacle and Pentathlon brought together
• New body will support integration of federations at national level

The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) has announced the composition of its first Obstacle Task Force (OTF), a 10-strong body that will guide the integration of Pentathlon and Obstacle communities worldwide.

UIPM President Rob Stull OLY will chair the OTF, formed with the aim of supporting National Federations with the unification process between UIPM-recognised governing bodies and their counterparts in obstacle racing.

Many such integrations have already been completed (as recently as last week in Italy, as pictured), but UIPM recognises the various challenges and scenarios that exist in various parts of the world. This underlines the importance of a pan-continental Task Force, with three members coming from the Americas, three from Europe, two from Asia and one each from Africa and Oceania.

Africa

• Frans van Nieckert (RSA) – President of integrated South Africa Modern Pentathlon Association; business owner and former pentathlete

Americas

• Rodolfo Villalobos (CRC) – President of OCR Costa Rica; organiser of World Obstacle UIPM 2024 OCR World Championships
• Ian Adamson (USA) – President of World Obstacle; former professional obstacle racer  
• Bob Clark (USA) – CEO of UNAA, a driving force in Ninja sport worldwide

Asia

• Cassandra Choh (SGP) – President of Singapore Modern Pentathlon Association; Vice President of Asian Modern Pentathlon Confederation; fitness business owner
• Al Agra (PHI) – President of Obstacle Sports Federation Asia Pacific and Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation; lawyer  

Europe

• Marco Tomasini (MLT) – CEO of International Dart Federation; Secretary General of Malta Modern Pentathlon Association; President of Malta Sport For All; insurance and governance specialist
• Nayibe Statia (NED) – OCR Chair of World Obstacle Officials Committee; neuroscientist and psychologist
• Marlena Jawaid OLY (SWE) – Secretary General of Swedish Modern Pentathlon Federation; active pentathlete  

Oceania

• Andrew Collings (NZL) – President of the Oceania Modern Pentathlon Confederation and Secretary General of Modern Pentathlon New Zealand; Para sport expert; international social impact consultant.

The OTF will begin its work with an online meeting in the coming weeks, with potential for an in-person meeting in Beijing (CHN) during the inaugural UIPM Obstacle World Championships (OCR) in October 2025.

President Stull said: “We are delighted with the assembly of a group of talented and experienced experts who will form the first UIPM Obstacle Task Force. Not only do they bring technical knowledge and capability, but also political importance in their respective communities.

“The integration of existing bodies is not always easy, but it is our responsibility to facilitate the process to ensure the best possible outcomes. On the field of play, we are already seeing the incredible benefits of athlete community integration and now it’s time for our administrators to step up and help bring governing bodies together under one umbrella to take full advantage of the incredible opportunities ahead of us.”