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 bought re-elected as president of the FIH with 63 votes vs 61 for his opponent Marc Coudron. An in depth race. The place some have brazenly 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 can’t go into that. It serves no function. I’m positive the directors can have made positive all was executed in response to the letter of the regulation. So I see no level in contesting this…
I do have a problem 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 might 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 saved secret, he informed us this was not solely already the norm. However it was even requested explicitly once more by a number of NA’s at this congress and he informed us for instance the German representatives have been amongst those that insisted on the secrecy of the votes at a number of instances.
Batra did recognise the actual fact 49% of the votes have been in opposition to him. Which means these nations needed a change. The principle downside I’ve with him, other than the actual fact his priorities are usually not with our sport however with the opposite organisations he runs, is the actual fact he needs to concentrate on rising the followers of our sport relatively 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 various place with completely different cultures, customs and values. Even when we attempt to maintain an open thoughts there’ll at all times be stunning variations in the way in which we see issues. However… even while you perceive and settle for there’ll at all times be variations, there are some frequent values we share throughout, or ought to share. Some non-negotiable values. Values comparable to equal alternatives for all, accountability for individuals who signify others, transparency in governing our sport on our behalf and financially you by no means ever “gamble” with different folks’s cash. Which 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 (except you’re already there) in your individual nationwide affiliation, in your individual continental federation and inside the FIH as effectively…
- At the start else, make it your primary precedence to advertise enjoying 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, training and leisure. The skilled and leisure a part of it must be there to serve the game. Not the opposite means 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 best to have a secret vote is a sacred one if we’re speaking about people, voting for the folks they wish to see signify them. Nevertheless… when the voters are individuals who signify others it turns into a unique 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 are going to get again to you with our different issues (and there are numerous) when now we have taken the time to review your experiences, funds and plans. As a result of we the gamers, the groups, the golf equipment, organisations and officers you signify shall be asking for accountability and transparency regardless of the present guidelines could be… In case your function is a voluntary or honorary function or when you’re on the payroll. It doesn’t make a distinction. We’re grateful for the trouble you set into governing our sport. We actually are. However it is advisable to recognise representing others can’t be with out accountability and transparency.
Thanks!
