Planet Field Hockey

After interviewing FIH Presidential Candidate Els Van Breda Vriesman, PlanetFieldHockey contacted Alain Danet, the other candidate for the position. Danet wrote us a letter, the full text of which is published below:

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Alain Danet
President of Honour of the French Hockey Federation
President of the European Hockey Federation
Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee
9, rue de Chéroy
75017 Paris, France
alaindanet@hotmail.com

Paris, 2 April 2001

As you know, Juan-Angel Calzado informed the five Continental Presidents initially, then all the National Federations, of his concerns about the difficult atmosphere that has reigned within the International Hockey Federation for four years now.

After the Dutch Federation’s decision to nominate Els van Breda Vriesman for the Presidency, before he even made his intentions known, Juan-Angel Calzado decided not to stand again, considering, that in the interest of the Hockey family and the future unity of the International Hockey Federation, the election of a President who was not directly involved with the previous administration would be preferable.

Many Associations, from all the continents, then declared their wish to vote for a man or woman capable, in their eyes, of unifying the hockey family and putting an end to partisan rivalry.

Thus, at their request, the French Hockey Federation nominated me. I therefore stand as the candidate of unity and appeasement.

Twice the President of the National Federation, President of the Continental Federation and the most senior elected member to the Council of the International Hockey Federation, I accepted this honour with joy that has come after thirty years of emotions and pleasure shared with you all. And I am therefore ready to provide a positive contribution to our sport once again.



Which directions to take?

· The competitions

The previous President and Secretary General suggested completely changing the world schedule, adopted by the Council. It seems clear that such radical proposals are difficult to implement.

We must make sure, contrary to the current situation, that the so-called “principal” countries are not overburdened by a hectic schedule and that all of our Associations also have all the opportunities to participate and organise, especially with the utmost transparency.

· The development

The principles and mode of distribution of the important sums of money that the FIH dedicates to this must also be totally reviewed.

· Marketing and press relations.

These two matters, of substantial importance, must be entirely restructured.
It is extremely urgent, particularly as we have no sponsor and we also have not had a press service for several months.

· International relations

The sensible policy of the last two Presidents has made it possible to establish a privileged relationship with the International Olympic Committee that has led, among other things, and in particular, to the anticipated equal participation of men’s and ladies’ teams in the Olympic Games in Athens.

Obviously the election of Juan Antonio Samaranch’s successor next July deserves our special attention.

I can assure you that as a member of the International Olympic Committee, I shall do my utmost to maintain the prime position held by the FIH within the Olympic family, not only to preserve the achievements but also to develop actions in favour of the poorest of our Associations, thanks to the Olympic Solidarity fund.

I am especially pleased to see the number and quality of the candidates standing for positions of such responsibility on the new Executive Board.

I will not attempt to influence your decision in any way. Whatever it may be, it will be your decision to my mind, and therefore the right and fair one. And I am prepared to work with everyone.

However, in the event that I am elected President, the new Statutes adopted last November will impose a woman in the post of Secretary General.

Claire Peeters-Monseu is the sole and an excellent candidate; many of you have appreciated her substantial knowledge of all the Federation’s matters (particularly those aiming at development). She is from a founding country of the International Federation, which has always provided an outstanding and impartial contribution to the FIH.

That is all I wanted to say to you all.

For those who know me, I would like to add that they are perfectly aware of what drives me, i.e. restoring the unity of our family, in a climate of cooperation and total transparency.

I am convinced that the Continental Federations are the bedrock of the FIH, that they must become more organised and efficient and work more closely with the FIH.

I believe in delegation and cooperation, but neither one nor the other hinder decision-making.

I assert that democracy demands that we fully communicate with each other, and that everyone respects the ideas of others.

I am prepared to do everything possible to achieve the necessary unity; and with your help I will succeed.

I hope I can count on your support.

I look forward to meeting you all in Brussels,

Best regards,

Alain Danet

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