These subsequent months may show to be essential for the way forward for our sport…
Whereas the followers nonetheless have fun (or mourn) the Netherlands taking a third world cup in a row in ladies’s hockey… For the extra engaged follower of our sport the day after was marked by the resignation of Narinder Batra as FIH president. Batra additionally resigned from his roles as president of the Indian Olympic Affiliation and his membership of the IOC. He cites private causes, which will be translated into the latest court docket order in Delhi stating he was within the incorrect on a number of accounts that secured his energy on the planet of sports activities and the continued corruption allegations. The nationwide affiliation of Hockey India is at the moment run by 3 unbiased directors, as ordered by the court docket, till they handle to run elections and appointments the best manner. If they don’t get their home so as quickly, it’d even jeopardise the upcoming males’s world cup in January 2023,
However let’s not dwell on this. Let’s look ahead and hope our sport can bounce again… It’s for the directors and specialised press to research what went incorrect and stop this sooner or later. Each in India as on the worldwide scene.
FIH elections
In November this 12 months the FIH was already scheduled to run its international congress and that’s when the NA’s (= nationwide associations) from everywhere in the world will as soon as once more elect a president. 5 different government board seats are additionally up for election. So might we see a shift away from Batra & his allies once more? I feel it’s uncertain a lot would change however we are able to hope…
Permit me to share my want record of priorities…
- Deal with rising the gamers as a substitute of the followers
It’s not about getting extra nations to have a hockey federation. It’s not in regards to the followers in your social media. The aim of any federation in sports activities needs to be to develop the numbers of individuals enjoying (!) the game. And please begin measuring this in a dependable manner. Don’t depend on energy hungry directors exhibiting of inflated unproven numbers. - Transparency and accountability
These are apparent ones in fact. In concept everybody will say they help these. In actuality nonetheless… So let’s begin with two easy objectives concerning this. First publish all monetary audited accounts for the FIH and its basis for these final years with explanations. Earlier than the elections. Secondly, elections can’t be secret anymore… the best to a secret vote is sacred for people. Nevertheless if you’re voting on behalf of others (as all NA directors are) a vote must be within the open and accounted for. - Be a powerful voice inside the IOC to guard true workforce sports activities
As an alternative of bowing to their stress (extra medal occasions with much less assets). True leaders don’t cave for the promise of cash if it corrupts our values. Assist IOC bear in mind they’re not within the leisure enterprise however into sports activities or they need to be. And present the best way…
If, as a facet impact from all this, we might additionally “86” the monstrosity that’s Hockey5s, I might adore it clearly. We have already got a standard and a brief format which fulfil all wants anybody might need to get began or proceed enjoying hockey wherever you might be on the planet. The 5s format has no (as in zero) added worth and makes for diluted budgets allotted to selling the prevailing codecs. However I’m not holding my breath on this one. Let’s first begin with the three priorities above and the remaining will observe 🙂