They are saying you all the time 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 function. I’m certain the directors may have made certain all was carried out based on the letter of the legislation. So I see no level in contesting this…
I do have a problem with the very 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 all the time been the case. Once I requested who requested for these votes to be saved 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 very fact 49% of the votes had been towards him. That means these nations wished a change. The primary downside I’ve with him, aside from the very fact his priorities are usually not with our sport however with the opposite organisations he runs, is the very fact he desires to deal with rising the followers of our sport fairly than the gamers. Aside from that there are such a lot of points I’ve along 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 preserve an open thoughts there’ll all the time be shocking variations in the best way we see issues. However… even whenever you perceive and settle for there’ll all the time be variations, there are some frequent values we share throughout, or ought to share. Some non-negotiable values. Values similar to equal alternatives for all, accountability for many who signify 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 think about the next an open letter to all these directors in hockey, from all nations on all continents…
Expensive hockey administrator,
Please think about making the next modifications (except you’re already there) in your individual nationwide affiliation, in your individual continental federation and inside the FIH as nicely…
- At first 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 trade. You’re part of sport. Which is all about well being, training and leisure. The skilled and leisure a part of it needs to be there to serve the game. Not the opposite method 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 individuals they want to see signify them. Nevertheless… when the voters are individuals who signify 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 numerous) when we’ve got taken the time to check your reviews, funds and plans. As a result of we the gamers, the groups, the golf equipment, organisations and officers you signify will likely 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 in case you’re on the payroll. It doesn’t make a distinction. We’re grateful for the hassle you place into governing our sport. We actually are. However it’s worthwhile to recognise representing others can’t be with out accountability and transparency.
Thanks!
