Coudron challenges Batra
Marc Coudron launched his bid for the FIH presidency mid March 2021. For a very long time it appeared Narinder Batra would run unopposed for reelection, earlier than Coudron stated he wished a change. Which suggests the FIH world congress should make an essential resolution on Might 22. As a result of, despite the fact that Coudron is an excessive amount of of a gentleman and diplomat, with solely sort phrases for the sitting president, they do have a really totally different view on the way in which hockey ought to transfer ahead. And hockey may be very a lot at a crossroads.
In a nutshell…
The main focus for Batra is on rising the worldwide fanbase. The main focus for Coudron is on rising the playerbase. Thoughts you, that is my evaluation from these males and mine alone. Not an official viewpoint from both candidate.
From goals to plans & to do’s
My dream for hockey worldwide, Coudron stated, is definitely the identical I had 16 years in the past for hockey in Belgium. Give a chance to each younger woman and each younger boy, all around the world, to play hockey with good tools, good coaches on floor. The place coaches go on the values of hockey.
As adults we have now the duty to go on the baton to the youth. These are the frequent values we share with all of society, not simply hockey, not simply sports activities. These values embody respect, teamspirit, truthful play, integrity, conviviality, tolerance, inclusion,…
Speaking concerning the plans Coudron indicated he could be 100% devoted to hockey. Sure, he nonetheless has a traditional job (Coudron is a banker) and sure clearly he nonetheless has a household life as nicely. However he would cease all different extracurricular actions. Resembling his function inside the Belgian federation and likewise his perform as treasurer and government member for the Belgian Olympic Committee. For me, Coudron stated, it’s regular the function of heading up the FIH requires whole dedication.
Secondly, with out blaming anybody or something, we can’t deny the funds of the FIH in the present day aren’t good. Discovering the suitable and sustainable options to repair our monetary scenario is the precedence.
Governance could be a 3rd facet. Among the many values mentioned earlier are integrity and transparency. Inside just a few years the FIH ought to be the function mannequin for good governance on the earth of sports activities.
Final however definitely not least, the concentrate on the event of hockey all through the world. We make investments so much as of late in occasions just like the FIH Professional League. However that’s only for the highest 10 nations. The FIH ought to be about all of its members, some 140 nations in the present day. There’s a must spend money on occasions just like the Professional League, however we should always not overlook the remaining. So the principle focus for FIH ought to be on growth for the second tier nations and third tier nations. Coudron desires to have the ability to say in just a few years the hole between the highest and second tier nations has diminished. But additionally that third tier nations have moved nearer to the second tier nations. Now we have to bridge the hole between the highest 10 and the opposite 130 nations in FIH to make hockey develop.
On my to do listing, in line with Coudron, the most important process is listening to all totally different nations in our hockey household. To study their expectations. I’m simply originally of this process however already I’ve discovered a lot. Resembling for instance the significance of indoor hockey for the event of our sport in Africa. They’ve much more entry to those sorts of services in comparison with full synthetic pitches for instance. We even have 3 codecs of the sport with 11-a-side hockey, indoor and hockey5s. Some nations would go for 5s or indoor, whereas others would concentrate on 11-a-side. Some would possibly even mix all three. No matter works greatest for them to develop hockey of their nation.
Fixing the monetary points would even be excessive on his to do listing. Coudron claims this may be solved in simply a few months as a result of clearly he wouldn’t have to start out from scratch. The FIH administration is already engaged on potential options to repair the monetary issues we have now in the present day. He would construct upon that and from his personal expertise within the monetary world to verify the present issues because of the launch of the Professional League and the pandemic are handled swiftly.
Fixing the idea for good governance must also be a fast repair, he thinks. However the work on growth could be one with out finish. The potential for growth remains to be big. With the pandemic we’ve discovered we are able to do so much via webinars, however these are largely carried out in English nonetheless in the present day. Coudron want to see these in French, Spanish, Russian or the Arab languages as nicely… We should always discover extra monetary sources to make these developments potential within the quick time period.
Coming again to the funds and what wants fixing there, Coudron advised us: I’m not the person who focuses on reducing prices instantly. I might first do a radical evaluation of the scenario. Gamers inform me they love the fundamental idea of the Professional League, the product in itself is an efficient one. However we might must adapt and tweak each present broadcasting offers and the format of the occasion. Possibly the nations who can’t carry the fee themselves for this occasion ought to take a step again.
Various world
For Coudron it’s not solely concerning the viewers, or solely concerning the gamers. In fact it’s essential develop the viewers to usher in sponsors for instance, however in case you first develop your variety of gamers, the viewers will observe. Nevertheless it all begins by listening to the totally different nations. Coudron doesn’t need the FIH to vary the way in which the sport is performed in several nations. It won’t be a one dimension suits all method around the globe. We’re too totally different all around the globe and we have to respect these variations and one another’s tradition.
He want to insist extra on the three merchandise hockey has on provide for nations to decide on the easiest way to develop hockey of their a part of the world. Every nation should discover their very own particular options to get folks to play the game and to maintain folks within the sport as a participant for many of their life. Each nation has its challenges and the FIH won’t have one world answer. Coudron says he doesn’t have the answer to assist all nations, however he’ll begin by listening and assist them discover their answer. As a result of he has confirmed he is aware of learn how to develop hockey in his Belgium, however understands not all will profit from the very same method.
Not possible is short-term
The primary lesson for Coudron has been to encompass him with higher and extra clever folks than himself. “I’m good with the confrontation of concepts, not the confrontation of individuals.” It’s like being on a hockey group. Even in case you’re participant your self you want different qualities round you to make it work.
Coudron may be very proud he had an element in altering the previous Belgian mentality of simply being comfortable to take part with out an excessive amount of expectations to a extra bold mindset and self perception. The well-known quote by Muhammed Ali “Not possible is short-term” is all the time high of thoughts for Coudron. So he desires to assist construct this perception within the so-called “smaller” hockey nations to dream huge. Why would it not not be potential for Iran to turn into world champion indoor or Namibia world champion in 5s? The identical method Belgium construct their confidence to develop from a smaller hockey nation to turn into the reigning world champion. It’s by no means a simple path and would possibly take time however inconceivable is short-term. The identical method Coudron and his group grew the Belgian hockey in numbers and outcomes he believes the potential for hockey around the globe is big. It’s inside attain to have extra gamers, higher coaches, good infrastructure…
The objective for FIH ought to be to increase the highest occasions in all three merchandise. The objective is a world cup in all disciplines with 24 nations competing on the high. Now we have to make room for brand new nations on the high. Although in the present day a rustic like for instance Croatia will acquire nothing from enjoying a high nation like Australia. However in simply a few years they is likely to be even contenders in for instance hockey 5s and, why not, afterward in 11-a-side hockey as nicely? We have to set up an atmosphere by which the three merchandise (11-a-side, 5s and indoor) reinforce one another to assist develop the game. With a view to try this we have to have much more nations enjoying at high stage. The dream is to get extra codecs from our recreation of hockey on the Olympics. However perhaps the way in which to go is to merge 5s and indoor hockey. All choices ought to stay on the desk. No door is closed.
Menace of getting kicked from the Olympics?
Crucial will even be the event away from waterbased pitches. The FIH must work collectively on the dream of a floor with none water. Coudron sees prospects if the FIH would work along with soccer and rugby federations to persuade producers of synthetic pitches to discover a answer that works for all. Now could be the time to make huge strides in these areas however it would want cooperation between totally different sports activities to make this occur. No empty guarantees or unrealistic deadlines. Simply the sturdy need and drive to make this occur as quickly as potential.
Regardless of the scenario in the present day when the subsequent Youth Olympic Video games would happen in Africa and even the 2028 Video games in LA we’d like to verify we have now an answer for a floor that doesn’t want any water to play the sport all of us love. It’s a should for remaining a related member of the Olympic household. As a result of that place is beneath risk. The IOC is pushing exhausting in the direction of sports activities that may provide extra occasions, with extra medals in a shorter time and with much less sources wanted. Assets being the variety of athletes taking over house within the Olympic Village, but additionally scarce water sources
Nonetheless Coudron tries to reassure, we even have loads of sturdy factors as a sport to persuade the IOC of our price. We’re one in all few sports activities the place high nations come from all 5 continents and doubtless the one sport the place all 5 continents have nations within the world high 15 for each women and men. Not many sports activities can boast gender equality on the sphere in addition to within the boardroom. We’re one in all few sports activities with no doping or betting scandals. Possibly we don’t insist sufficient on these qualities? It’s not about getting in a contest with different sports activities. However we’re who we’re and we have now sure qualities that ought to matter. For instance our concentrate on inclusion and looking out past simply hockey, it might be the last word dream for me to see the Olympic Video games merge with what we in the present day know because the Paralympic Video games and have only one occasion: thé Olympic Video games… for all athletes who excel of their self-discipline.
Stress between home and worldwide leagues
We should always not exaggerate the issues right here Coudron claims. The one stress is between worldwide hockey and the highest leagues in sure nations. Leisure hockey shouldn’t be affected as a lot by this. However on the high stage we’d like higher options. Possibly a primary step could be for all European nations to get a coordinated calendar for his or her home leagues? Not a simple process with totally different climates and cultures both. The error made by many directors outdoors of Europe is to assert that is only a European downside. Not true in line with Coudron, since many gamers from Australia, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand,… additionally play and make their cash in these home leagues in Europe. So it has an affect on all of us. However the supreme answer doesn’t exist. It’s been on the agenda for a few years with no answer to this point. Possibly the one method is to get a hard and fast calendar the place all know beforehand what weeks could be put aside for worldwide video games and the home leagues must finetune their very own calendars in line with this.
Totally different nations will all have their totally different pathways into hockey. For some it begins as a leisure exercise, for others it’s a technique to get an training in school and for others they hope to make a dwelling from it. However what high hockey gamers in the present day earn throughout their profession won’t ever be sufficient to sit down again and calm down for the remainder of their lives as soon as their enjoying days are over. We aren’t soccer, cricket, rugby or basketball… and even in these sports activities it’s solely the comfortable few, the 1%, who make sufficient. So enjoying in hockey would all the time should be mixed with a preparation for the profession after your enjoying days. It’s not potential for anybody on the earth in the present day to make sufficient cash from hockey to find a way to not fear for what comes after your enjoying days. However that’s factor in line with Coudron. It’s not concerning the cash. It’s a few ardour for the game.
Why ought to 140 very totally different nations select Marc Coudron to turn into their president?
“I’m very motivated to attain some objectives. I might be 100% devoted to this perform. I’m certain we’re simply originally of an enormous growth. Inside 10 years there ought to be much less distinction between the extent of first tier and second nations and between second and third tier nations. To have much more hockey nations with a chance to play world cups, to achieve the Olympic Video games. Why not within the 3 codecs, however definitely in one in all these with 11-a-side hockey. Not possible is short-term, actually!
So how about Mr. Batra?
We reached out to Mr. Batra as nicely to speak about his plans for hockey. However once we, at his request despatched him our questions (the identical we used for Coudron) previous to setting a date for the interview, we by no means heard again. We haven’t heard again from Batra, nor has the world of hockey in his years as FIH president I would add. Other than the occasional irrelevant quick promo video on the FIH web site no precise and significant accomplishments according to earlier guarantees had been reported, so far as I do know. We already wrote, following the final FIH world congress, we preferred a few of the plans. And a few we didn’t like in any respect, however the proof of the pudding was all the time going to be within the consuming. The guarantees made by Batra (see video right here beginning at 12:08) relating to his personal contribution again then had been easy: improve income for FIH, improve attain for hockey around the globe, make hockey a viable profession alternative for gamers around the globe. I would really like you to guage for your self if you could find any proof of constructing good on any of those guarantees. I’ve discovered none…
One promise from the complete video was clearly made in unhealthy religion, could be my evaluation. Should you scroll to 08:54 on this video he’s requested if he sees his FIH presidency as a step in the direction of different features with IOA or the IOC. He categorically denies this (“For me it’s hockey, hockey, hockey and that’s it“). Inside a yr or so the promise was damaged and all of Batra’s focus shifted to the IOA. He by no means appeared again at hockey…