The approaching months may show essential for the way forward for our sport…
Whereas the followers are nonetheless celebrating (or mourning) that the Netherlands wins the Ladies’s Hockey World Cup for the third time in a row… For the extra dedicated followers of our sport, the following day was marked by the resignation of Narinder Batra as FIH president. Batra additionally resigned as president of the Indian Olympic Affiliation and his membership within the IOC. He cites private causes, which could be translated into the latest courtroom order in Delhi stating that he was mistaken on a number of counts that secured his energy within the sports activities world and the continued allegations of corruption. The Nationwide Affiliation of Hockey India is presently run by 3 impartial administrators, as per courtroom orders, till they handle to conduct elections and appointments correctly. If they do not get their home so as rapidly, it may even jeopardize the upcoming Males’s World Cup in January 2023.
However let’s not dwell on this. Let’s look forward and hope that our sport can get well… It’s as much as the board and the specialised press to research what went mistaken and the way this may be prevented sooner or later. Each in India and on the world stage.
FIH elections
In November this 12 months, the FIH would already maintain its world congress after which the NAs (= nationwide associations) from everywhere in the world will once more elect a president. There are additionally 5 different board seats up for election. So may we see one other shift away from Batra and his allies? I believe it is uncertain that a lot will change, however we are able to hope…
Enable me to share my want listing of priorities…
- Give attention to rising the gamers as a substitute of the followers
It’s not about extra nations getting a hockey federation. It isn’t concerning the followers in your social media. The aim of each sports activities federation ought to be to develop the variety of individuals practising the game (!). And please begin measuring this reliably. Do not depend on power-hungry directors who present inflated, unproven numbers. - Transparency and accountability
These are after all apparent ones. In idea, everybody will say they help this one. In actuality, nonetheless… On this context, let’s begin with two easy targets. First, publish all audited monetary accounts for the FIH and its basis for latest years with explanations. Earlier than the elections. Secondly, elections can not be secret… the appropriate to a secret poll is sacred to people. Nevertheless, when voting on behalf of others (as all NA directors do), a vote have to be carried out in public and accounted for. - Be a powerful voice inside the IOC to guard true staff sports activities
As a substitute of bowing to their stress (extra medal occasions with much less sources). Actual leaders don’t succumb to the promise of cash when it corrupts our values. Assist remind the IOC that they don’t seem to be within the leisure enterprise, they’re within the sport, in any other case they need to be. And present the best way…
If, as a aspect impact of all this, we may additionally ’86’ the monstrosity that’s Hockey5s, I might after all love that. We have already got a conventional and a brief format that meets all of the wants somebody may need to begin or proceed enjoying hockey, wherever you might be on the planet. The 5s format has no (as in zero) added worth and creates diluted budgets for selling the present codecs. However I am not holding my breath on this one. Let’s begin with the three priorities above first and the remaining will comply with 🙂