While international sports stars Rafael Nadal, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Sachin Tendulkar and Crisitano Ronaldo took to social networking sites to express solidarity, Bubka paid the tribute after the six-time pole vault world champion landed in Kathmandu on Friday night before visiting some of the worst-hit places of the capital.

“The devastation caused by earthquake in Nepal is big news all over the world. The world is with you in this sad moment. The biggest and important thing for people is their life and the earthquake took it away from them,” said the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) after taking stalks of the damaged infrastructures at the Dashrath Stadim and National Sports Council.

“I have a very busy schedule but I cut my plans to be with you. Apart from the lives of people, the earthquake has damaged infrastructure and without support its very difficult for Nepal to overcome this pain. It was very important for me to be with you, even for a short moment, to show that we are together,” added Bubka, who came on a one-day visit following an invitation from the Nepal Athletics Association (NAA).

The 7.9M earthquake has cause a widespread destruction in Nepal killing more than 8500 and displacing thousands. Bubka is one of the biggest names in international sports who dominated the pole vault discipline breaking world record 35 times.

Asked about his ability to break world record numerous times, Bubka said: “You need to have some talent but I see this quite normal. The main point is I love sports and athletics. It is in my genes. I spent all of my times in the field.” “We had very normal condition when we grew up. We didn’t have facilities. We played on the street. The key element is hard work and we must teach our kids to come to sport and athletics to build strong character. They need to follow the learning process through their coaches,” said Bubka praising the talent of Nepali athletes.

“They (Nepali athletes) now need to build their skills and of course for that IAAF will look how it can help.” The most celebrated athlete of Ukraine, Bubka, represented Soviet Union in his earlier track and field career before it’s dissolution in 1991. Along with Fifa President Sepp Blatter, cricketers Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he is among the countable international sports star to have visited Nepal.

IAAF to help Nepal athletics

The International Athletics Association of Federations (IAAF) Vice-president Sergey Bubka on Saturday said the world governing body of the sport is ready to help Nepali athletics. Bubka, who was on a one-day visit of Nepal, said the IAAF always seeks partnership and Nepali government needs to lend it.

“As the Chairman of Development at the IAAF, we have discussed with the Nepal Athletics Association President (Rajeev Bikram Shah) on how we can work from our side to help develop and promote athletics apart from supporting the infrastructure in Nepal,” said Bubka. “The IAAF philosophy has always been to bring partnerships. If the government (of Nepal) provides land and contributes to prepare the base, IAAF will bring one modern synthetic track in Nepal,” he added.

“We will send our experts to assist the condition in Nepal, about the possibility of bringing some good high-level coach,” concluded Bubka. NAA President Shah informed about the initial support from IAAF. “At first stage, we have asked for a good coach through IAAF who will do the need analysis and submit the report. We will then go ahead with our further plans on our athletics movement coordinating with the IAAF,” said Shah. (PR)