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The biennial FIH Congress turned out to be a major success here at Lord’s in London on Saturday. The 70 national associations present approved many important decisions for the future of hockey. Honorary Secretary General Peter Cohen (AUS), Honorary Treasurer Jean-Pierre Strebel (SUI) and Vice President Antonio von Ondarza were re-elected for a four year period. Furthermore, five new national associations were officially admitted as new FIH members: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador and Estonia.
In her opening speech, FIH President Els van Breda Vriesman announced the organizers of the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers, which will take place early 2008. Canada, Azerbaijan and Russia will be the host of the three Women’s Olympic Qualifiers. Japan, Chile and New Zealand are entrusted with the organization of the three Men’s Olympic Qualifiers.
Besides the election of the three Office Bearers, elections for the Executive Board took place during the FIH Congress. Clair Peeters-Monseu from Belgium was re-elected for a new four year period. Aaron Sher (USA) and Bark Jae Shin (KOR) were re-elected. The last two seats in the Executive Board went to Steve Jaspan (RSA) and David Collier (ENG).
One Executive Board member retired as hockey administrator and was not standing for re-election. Theo Ykema from Netherlands was the chairman of the FIH Coaches Committee from 1992 until 1997 and the chairman of the FIH Development and Coaching Committee from 1997 until 2006. To reward Ykema for his outstanding contribution to hockey, the Dutch was inducted as FIH Member of Honour.
That was not the only award given during the FIH Congress. The national association of Spain received the Pablo Negre Trophy, which is awarded annually by FIH to the National Association which has by its activities, initiatives and sportsmanship served best the course of hockey and made it more popular during the previous two years.
The Chilean Hockey Federation national association was awarded with the Super Fair Play Trophy Rene G Frank. The Trophy is awarded every two years in conjunction with the Congress, to a team or an individual known to have shown the greatest spirit of sportsmanship during a period of two or four years. Men, Women, Senior and Junior teams as well as individuals may aspire to this Trophy.
The Ghana Hockey Association received the newly established Theo Ykema Award, given to national associations that improved their work in many different areas in hockey such as activities, participation and number of qualified officials.
