The FIH is saddened to report that Competitions Committee Member Guido Braca passed away over the weekend. The Italian was recently awarded the EHF Diploma of Merit by President Marijke Fleuren at the GANT EuroHockey Championships.
As the Hockey family gathers in Kuala Lumpur for the FIH Congress, news of Braca’s death stunned the hockey family.

“Today we have lost a great contributor to our sport and generous and good person,” said FIH President Leandro Negre. “I was both shocked and saddened when I received the news. I am certain that Guido will be on everyone’s minds here in Kuala Lumpur.”
Braca made great contributions to the FIH Competitions Committee as it moved forward with the newly created Hockey World League and moving Indoor Hockey forward. .He had just completed a recommendation to the Executive Board for indoor world ranking system. He also contributed greatly to the qualification system for the Indoor World Cup.

Braca was also a face familiar to many in the hockey world at major international events as he worked as a top Tournament Director for both the EHF and FIH. He was the TD at the 2007 and 2011 FIH Indoor World Cups, the TD for the 2009 champions Trophy and the TD last year at the EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championships. His interest and strength in indoor hockey made him the perfect fit to be the Secretary of the EHF Indoor Hockey Committee, a role he held since 2005.

At the time he received his EHF Diploma of Merit, Flueren said of Braca, "I have no hesitation in awarding Guido the EHF Diploma of Merit and look forward to seeing him continue as one of Europe’s top TDs and adding to his valuable contribution on the Indoor Committee and FIH Competitions Committee where he currently serves."
Braca leaves behind a wife, Mara, and two sons. Leonardo and Ricardo.