ATHLETICS:Athletics Ireland has found itself seeking a new chief executive following Brendan Hackett's sudden announcement of his departure after just over two years in the position. Hackett claims his decision is in no way contentious and instead reflects his desire to move on at what he believes is the right time - despite it being an Olympic year.

Hackett was appointed as chief executive in January, 2006 for a three-year term in what was the key position under the newly restructured Athletics Ireland.

Despite a highly successful two years for the sport, he has decided against completing that term, although he will remain in the position until the association congress in April, therefore allowing time for a replacement.

"I knew I was coming into my last year, and to me it was crossroads time," explained Hackett, who made his announcement at Monday night's first Athletics Ireland board meeting of the new year. "Was I going to make a career out of this, and stay until 2012, or was I going to move on? And I just decided it was time to move on.

"I'd a choice then in staying until the end of the year, picking up the cheques, or go sooner, and I thought the natural time was the congress in April, when there's a new board and a new president coming in. That to me was a good time for a new person to start as well, and hopefully they can get the new person in place by then.

"But I said from the beginning two years ago that I was fortunate not to really need the job, but that I wanted it, because I felt there were a lot of things I could do to kick-start the new structures. And, in a way, I feel all that has been done now.

"All the structures are in place, and I've hired 16 new staff over the last two years, and the coaching and development officers are all in place. So I felt it was better to give someone the baton when we're in the lead, rather than when we're at the back of the field.

"There's really no such thing as the right time to go in these situations, except when you feel it is personally right."

Hackett was confident his departure will in no way upset preparations for the Beijing Olympics next August: "No, because all our Olympic planning was done last autumn, in submitting our budgets and the like. Our team manager Patsy McGonagle and our athletics director Max Jones are the people looking after that end now, driving us through Beijing, so that's not an issue.

"I could be selfish and stay on for the Olympics, and take the party ticket to Beijing, but again I think it's only right for the new person to take that on."

There has also been talk in recent weeks that sports such as athletics would see their funding reduced due to the Government's new commitment to GAA players' grants, but Hackett claims this is not so, and therefore had nothing to do with his decision.

"All the indications I've been getting is that our funding will be just as good as last year, probably slightly more, which is around €2 million. Sponsorship is also good. So Irish athletics will certainly have the same money as last year."

In leaving, therefore, Hackett claims he has no regrets. "Of course, there were some frustrating days along the way, but everything I've wanted to do, I've done. I have a philosophy in setting up an organisation, and that's putting the people first.

"That's why I spent the first year getting what I considered were the right people in the right seats. The second year was about setting up the programmes.

"Our new vision and strategy document was also published before Christmas. One of the arguments I had as coach was that I couldn't see the vision of where Irish athletics was going, but I think that is clear now."