When final yr mr. Batra received re-elected because the FIH president I wrote “We deserve higher” with an open letter to the directors of our sport. In it I needed to make two factors:
- The #1 precedence is getting extra folks to PLAY the game, not WATCH the game.
- Transparency & accountability in governing our sport want to enhance.
Lately the FIH president, mr Batra, introduced he wouldn’t search re-election because the president for the IOA, which is the nationwide Olympic affiliation of India. He claimed this was as a result of hockey was coming into a time with plenty of challenges and it wanted his full consideration. What he forgot to say was, he was convicted of malpractice as a sports activities administrator by the Excessive Court docket of Delhi for a number of acts that don’t go the bar relating to good governance. In case you wish to learn the total judgment, click on right here. To date Batra has not reside as much as guarantees made (income for FIH will go up) or damaged different guarantees he made hockey (I by no means attempt to go for IOA presidency). Clearly the final meeting of NA’s didn’t maintain him accountable final yr. Possibly the manager board of the FIH will do it this yr? I’m not holding my breath although…
2 columns which might be a should learn
Should you’re solely within the newest outcomes of the staff you root for or wish to see thrilling tips with stick and ball. This may not be your cup of tea. Should you care about the way forward for our sport although you would possibly wish to learn two current columns from Australian journalist Ashley Morrison:
Should you’re a sports activities administrator at a membership, a nationwide or continental affiliation I believe you must learn these and ask your fellow directors to do the precise factor. And please keep in mind the 2 factors which might be close to to at the least my coronary heart:
- The #1 precedence is getting extra folks to PLAY the game, not WATCH the game.
- Transparency & accountability in governing our sport want to enhance.
It’s by no means too late to do the precise factor…
We’ve run our sport as well-meaning amateurs for a very long time. Occasions have modified. Too many NA’s (that’s nationwide associations) and their directors are actually in it for themselves as a substitute of the game they need to signify. Should you solely spend Olympic and authorities funding in your administration and nationwide groups you’re doing all your sport a disservice. Organising or attending worldwide occasions and “rising your fanbase” is a method to an finish, not the top purpose.
If you can’t display you’re rising the variety of energetic and registered gamers in a sustainable approach, you’re doing it fallacious ⚠️
It’s by no means too late to do the precise factor…