Dibrugarh, March 3: Ian Williams, head of the endurance department of the Federation Equestrae International (FEI) based at Lausanne, Switzerland, today said Dibrugarh had the potential in the sport as well as in the equestrian arena.

Speaking at a press meet at the Jalan guesthouse, Williams said Dibrugarh had already found a prominent place in the world?s equestrian map.

Williams and his wife Jane, also an ace rider, have been invited to visit the country by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) in view of the forthcoming Asian Games in Doha in December.

?This is my first visit to Dibrugarh, but as head of the endurance department at the FEI, I have been closely monitoring the activities related to the discipline here. The conditions here are absolutely conducive for endurance,? Williams said.

The conference was attended by Monoj Jalan, vice-president of the EFI (technical) and secretary general of the Equestrian Federation of Assam (EFA) and EFA vice-president Robin Borthakur.

Dibrugarh had successfully hosted the first-ever international endurance meet in February 2003. Nine countries from Europe and West Asia took part in the meet.

?I am very impressed with the lovely tracks which include mostly the banks of the Brahmaputra, lush green tea gardens, ethnic villages? Such a track is not available in many of the western countries,? Jane Williams said.

The duo has also visited the Army Equitation Centre at Meerut and witnessed preparations and selection trials of the Indian teams for the Asian Games. They have also taken a look at some of the best in the national equestrian arena at a national-level endurance championship.

Endurance had been included in the Doha Games for the first time and India is expected to put up a good show.

?It?s very tough at the international level, particularly riders from West Asia are very hard to beat. But my first hand assessment of Indian riders is that if they work hard, India, too, can put up an impressive show,? Williams said.

?Endurance is a fast-growing sport and has picked up well in the last three years or so. India, too, has done well,? the FEI official said.

The FEI has assured support to the development of endurance in the country.