During the second day, the 49th FITA/World Archery Congress bid farewell to two outstanding personalities in the archery community: Honorary President Francesco GNECCHI RUSCONE (ITA) and 1st Vice President Paul PAULSEN (NOR).
Former President from 1977 to 1989, the Honorary President Francesco GNECCHI RUSCONE (ITA) photo has decided to retire as the Chairman of the Board of Justice and Ethics after more than 20 years of service in this position. He received a heartfelt standing-ovation from the Congress and the title of Honorary Chairman of the Board of Justice and Ethics. The 1st Vice President Paul PAULSEN (NOR) is also stepping down from his position after 18 years of service in the Council. Paul PAULSEN, who is international friendliness personified, was named Honorary 1st Vice President and was awarded a gold plaquettes with another standing ovation.
Upon Paul's retirement, Council Member and EMAU President Mario SCARZELLA (ITA) was brillantly elected by the 83 voting members of the Congress in Turin as the 1st Vice President.
The opened position as one of the Vice Presidents could not be filled. According to FITA Constitutions and Rules, the Council will elect another Vice President at his next meeting.
GAO Zhidan (CHN), Kotaro HATA (JPN) was re-elected for four years in the Council and Susanne WOMERSLEY (AUS) for two years. Jorg BROKAMP (GER) and Eva THESEN (NOR) will join them. Klaus LINDAU (GER) has retired from Council, while Philippe BOUCLET (FRA), Sanguan KOSAVINTA (THA), as Vice Presidents, and Vladimir ESHEEV (RUS), Trudy MEDWED (AUT), as Members, have two more years to serve. The Council will also be renamed Executive Board as per Congress decision.
Elections
The following partial elections also took place in some committees:
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Board of Justice and Ethics: Jamil BAHARUDDIN (MAS) John CHAPLIN (AUS) DONG Wenjin (CHN) Klaus LINDAU (GER) WOONG (Ben) Hur (KOR) |
Constitution and Rules: Giuseppe CINNIRELLA (ITA) KOO Ja Chung (KOR) Mark MILLER (USA)
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Field Archery: Cenneth AHLUND (SWE) Tom GREEN (USA) Derrick LOWELL MBE (GBR) |
Judges: Dion BUHAGIAR (MLT) Sergio FONT MILIAN (CUB) Morten WILMANN (NOR) |
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Coaches: Kenneth BEARMAN (GBR) KIM Hyung-Tak (KOR) LEE KiSik (USA) |
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During the Congress seven countries have been accepted as new members: Ghana, Kosovo, Niger, Central Africa, Congo, Kuwait and Senegal. Four countries have been expelled: Guam, Macedonia, Nigeria and Solomon.
All the Congress elections and decisions will come officially into effect on 1st April 2012 and will be detailed in the official minutes.
International Relations
The Congress received updates on the state of archery with the Commonwealth Games and how archery could be back in a future Games after a successful edition in Dehli 2010. The President of the IFAA, Mr Loet SMIT, was delighted to address the audience about the improved relationships between his organisation and World Archery. He will meet with representatives of the technical and field committees in the coming days. The Event Director Juan Carlos HOLGADO introduced a new away of playing archery: trap archery with flying targets. This has a great potential to attract new people to our sport! The Development Director Pascal COLMAIRE gave an overview of his projects and especially the potential help Member Associations can get help from the Olypmic Solidarity. There are still a lot of untapped opportunities and the Olypmic Solidarity and Member Associations must be more active in demanding support and scholarships. Moreover, the Secretary General Tom DIELEN announced that the parternships with Global Sports Development was extended until 2016 and several projects will be conducted with GSD, especially on the youth side.
The upcoming world championships and Olympic Games until 2016 were given the chance to present their events and the Congress was impressed with the quality of each presentation. The various preparations are all on the right track!
Awards and Plaquettes
As mentionned two honorary positions were awarded:
Paul PAULSEN - Honorary 1st Vice President photo
Francesco GNECCHI RUSCONE - Honorary Chairman of the Board of Justice and Ethics
The awards for Gender Equity were given for the second time at this congress and they went to India, Russia and Italy. Two women received a special award for their work in our sport: Eva THESEN (NOR) and Xiuzhi ZHANG (CHN).
FITA also honoured several of its outstanding volunteers and officials by giving the FITA Plaquettes:
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Gold Plaquette: Paul PAULSEN (NOR) |
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Silver Plaquettes: Klaus LINDAU (GER) Robert SMITH (USA) Allison WILLIAMSON (GBR) |
Bronze Plaquettes:
Derrick LOVELL MBE (GBR)
Dion BUHAGIAR (MLT)
George TEKMITCHOV (USA)
Prof Vijay Kumar MALHOTRA (IND)
Poh Tiong (Simon) WEE (SIN)
Mau Sui (Frankie) HOONG (SIN)
World Archery Plan
TSE Consulting presented a recap of the best "stories" told during the working group yesterday afternoon. By "stories" it is meant best practices, examples, trick and tips, etc., that one Member Association could share with the others. This exactely where the World Archery Plan is now heading: expansion by connection. To this effect President ERDENER concluded the Congress by giving a little plaquette to all the Delegates. This plaquette certainly does not yet have the prestige of the gold ones, but can become a true backbone of the future of World Archery, because it says:
By sharing with each other
By learning with each other
By supporting each other
Together we can!
World Archery certainly wants to share this motto with the Congress Delegates and all the people involved in archery worldwide.
Didier MIEVILLE
FITA Communication
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