The Hindu : Sport : Change of vision and mission at FIH

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Change of vision and mission at FIH

S. Thyagarajan

Chennai: ‘Change’ is the chant across the political spectrum now. And this trend obviously influenced delegates at the FIH Congress at Los Angeles when the influential and suave Spaniard, Leandro Negre, unseated the Dutch iron lady and the incumbent President for eight years, Els van Breda Vriessman, by 47-42 votes, to take over the reins of world hockey.

Els was seeking a third term on a plank of continuity. But the 62-year-old Leandro, as the head of the European HF, put forward the demand for a more transparent democratic structure, pinpointing the success of the European Hockey League.

That the contest between these two European administrators would raise a lot of heat on various issues was clear weeks before.

Plank of continuity

“We have achieved a great deal, but now we have to complete the job,” was the Els’s slogan. Her campaigners underlined the filament of vibrancy in the administration. As the first woman president, Els did govern with a touch of authority, a rich Dutch flavour notwithstanding. She steered FIH through difficult times and played a leading role in shaping the finances by roping in new sponsors. Known for quick decisions, she showed a measure of diplomacy, tact and persuasive eloquence.

Els and her supporters overstressed about the game in the Olympic Movement. She went to the extent of suggesting that hockey’s place in the Olympics was in danger if she did not remain as president.

Els argued on the finances of FIH and said “it is necessary to push forward with the policy to set out in the strategic plan and approved by the Board, especially in the light of the difficult financial times ahead of us.”

Those rooting for change rallied round Leandro and successfully projected the view that progress during the last eight years would have happened regardless of who was at the helm.

Leandro, whose support base is in Europe and Asia, assumes charge as a man with a different vision and mission. Empowering continental federations is high on his agenda.

He declared that in his administration the Executive Board would become the leading team with all its members working with real mandates. “I want smart and committed individuals.”

Where the polemics grew sharper was on the question of hockey in the Olympics. Els observed in a tone that reflected desperation “If I am not re-elected, our sport stands to lose a representative in the IOC, at least in the coming years.”

This reflected a veneer of desperation, which drew a sharp reaction. Leandro hit back, noting “hockey is not in danger of being withdrawn from the Olympic programme. Certainly no more in danger than any other Summer Olympic sport…and does not rest upon the president’s shoulders.”

He added “to claim that hockey survives thanks to a single name is irresponsible, ill-advised and unfair.”

Player to administrator

Leandro, son of the former FIH Vice-President and founder of the European HF, Pablo Negre, began as a goal keeper for the Junior HC at Barcelona and has the distinction of representing Spain in the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City.

Progressively, he shifted focus towards administration, both national and international, and played a huge role in Barcelona organising the Olympics in 1992. Four years ago, he took charge as President of EHF.

His best moment so far has been the successful launch of the European Hockey League whose success is reckoned as unprecedented for the sport in Europe. An Economics graduate from the University of Barcelona, Leandro is a financial consultant.

It is premature to speculate on how he would guide world hockey. However, he has started the innings like a true sportsman, offering Els the post of the Honorary President of FIH.

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