When final yr Mr. Batra was re-elected as FIH president. I wrote “We deserve higher” with an open letter to the directors of our sport. I wished to make two factors:
- The #1 precedence is to get extra individuals to PLAY the game, not WATCH the game.
- Transparency and accountability within the governance of our sport should enhance.
Lately, the FIH President, Mr. Batra, introduced that he wouldn’t search re-election as President of the IOA, India’s Nationwide Olympic Affiliation. He claimed this was as a result of hockey was coming into a time of many challenges and it wanted his full consideration. What he forgot to say was that he was convicted by the Delhi Excessive Court docket for malpractice as a sports activities administrator for a number of actions that don’t meet the usual in the case of good governance. If you want to learn the complete judgment, click on right here. Up to now Batra has not saved his guarantees (revenues for FIH will go up) or damaged different guarantees he made on hockey (I am by no means attempting to run for the IOA presidency). It’s clear that the Normal Meeting of NAs didn’t maintain him to account final yr. Possibly the FIH board will do it this yr? I will not maintain my breath although…
2 columns you will need to learn
In case you are solely within the newest outcomes of the crew you might be rooting for or need to see thrilling tips with stick and ball. This won’t be your cup of tea. In case you’re involved about the way forward for our sport, you would possibly need to learn two current columns by Australian journalist Ashley Morrison:
In case you are a sports activities administrator at a membership, nationwide or continental affiliation, I believe you need to learn this and ask your fellow directors to do the proper factor. And please keep in mind the 2 factors which might be near my coronary heart:
- Precedence number one is to achieve extra individuals PLAY the gameDo not WATCH the sports activities.
- Transparency and accountability within the governance of our sport should enhance.
It is by no means too late to do the proper factor…
We’ve been working our sport as well-meaning amateurs for a very long time. Instances have modified. Too many NAs (that’s, nationwide associations) and their directors are actually involved with themselves as an alternative of the game they need to characterize. In case you spend solely Olympic and authorities funds in your administration and nationwide groups, you might be doing all your sport a disservice. Placing on or attending worldwide occasions and “rising your fan base” is a method to an finish, not the tip aim.
If you cannot show that you just’re rising the variety of lively and registered gamers in a sustainable method, you are doing it unsuitable ⚠️
It is by no means too late to do the proper factor…
