They are saying you at all times get what you deserve… Having witnessed the FIH congress final week I state: “we deserve higher”!
So final Saturday Narinder Batra acquired re-elected as president of the FIH with 63 votes vs 61 for his opponent Marc Coudron. A detailed race. The place some have overtly questioned the addition of three nations allowed to vote, after being voted in as new FIH members simply minutes earlier than. Or the sudden login from one other nation solely seconds earlier than the vote, when the congress itself began the day earlier than and the session of that day had been going for hours with many votes earlier than this presidential election. However I cannot go into that. It serves no objective. I’m positive the directors could have made positive all was achieved in response to the letter of the regulation. So I see no level in contesting this…
I do have a difficulty with the actual fact these votes are “secret”. Following the FIH congress I requested the CEO and re-elected president of the FIH if we may know who voted for who. Thierry Weil, CEO of FIH, answered the vote was secret and this has at all times been the case. After I requested who requested for these votes to be stored secret, he advised us this was not solely already the norm. Nevertheless it was even requested explicitly once more by a number of NA’s at this congress and he advised us for instance the German representatives had been amongst those that insisted on the secrecy of the votes at a number of occasions.
Batra did recognise the actual fact 49% of the votes had been in opposition to him. That means these nations wished a change. The primary drawback I’ve with him, aside from the actual fact his priorities should not with our sport however with the opposite organisations he runs, is the actual fact he desires to deal with rising the followers of our sport quite than the gamers. Apart from that there are such a lot of points I’ve together with his insurance policies and governance of our sport, that I should get again to those one other time.
I recognise the world is a really numerous place with totally different cultures, customs and values. Even when we attempt to maintain an open thoughts there’ll at all times be stunning variations in the best way we see issues. However… even once you perceive and settle for there’ll at all times be variations, there are some widespread values we share throughout, or ought to share. Some non-negotiable values. Values comparable to equal alternatives for all, accountability for many who symbolize others, transparency in governing our sport on our behalf and financially you by no means ever “gamble” with different individuals’s cash. That means you don’t spend cash you haven’t earned earlier than. So please contemplate the next an open letter to all these directors in hockey, from all nations on all continents…
Pricey hockey administrator,
Please contemplate making the next modifications (until you’re already there) in your personal nationwide affiliation, in your personal continental federation and inside the FIH as effectively…
- At the beginning else, make it your primary precedence to advertise taking part in hockey recreationally. The aim of sport is to be performed, not watched! You’re NOT within the leisure business. You’re part of sport. Which is all about well being, schooling and leisure. The skilled and leisure a part of it ought to be there to serve the game. Not the opposite manner round…
- Please change the statutes of the FIH (and/or your continental or nationwide affiliation) to permit for accountability and transparency as quickly as doable. The suitable to have a secret vote is a sacred one if we’re speaking about people, voting for the individuals they want to see symbolize them. Nevertheless… when the voters are individuals who symbolize others it turns into a special matter. As is the case with our nationwide associations (NA’s) voting inside their continental or the worldwide federation and even membership representatives voting inside their very own NA. In that case accountability and transparency take priority over the key vote.
We’ll get again to you with our different considerations (and there are lots of) when we’ve taken the time to check your studies, funds and plans. As a result of we the gamers, the groups, the golf equipment, organisations and officers you symbolize can be asking for accountability and transparency regardless of the present guidelines is likely to be… In case your function is a voluntary or honorary function or if you happen to’re on the payroll. It doesn’t make a distinction. We’re grateful for the hassle you set into governing our sport. We actually are. However it’s worthwhile to recognise representing others cannot be with out accountability and transparency.
Thanks!
