CAIRO: The vast majority of officals in Egypt s sports federations have shown their support for an executive statute issued recently by the National Sports Council, calling it a step in the right direction in the sports industry. Among the most significant amendments are three clauses. The first one cancels the exception previously given to members of the international sports federations to run for president for more than two terms in the respective Egyptian federation. Instead, those with membership in international sports bodies could nominate themselves as members in the Egyptian federation, but not as president. The second clause extends the reach of the old regulation which required any candidate to have practiced the sport in question as a player, referee or even an administrator in any of the federation committees. Whilst before the requirement only applied to those running to for board seats with the exception of the president, the new statute would make the requirement applicable to all regardless of position. The third clause reverses the right given to federation members to run for seats in the National Olympic Committee (NOC). The new statute aims at enhancing NOC's role as an integral and impartial watchdog. Close sources to the NOC pointed out that in compliance with the set regulations of the International Olympic Committee, a general assembly representing all Olympic sports federations, will have to approve the new executive statute before it is official. Most presidents of the different sports federations were on board with the amendments. Ahmed El-Fouly and Sameh Mubasher, presidents of the Taikendo, Judo federations, respectively, support the clause revoking the privilege given to members in international federations to nominate themselves, explaining that it will open the door for new leaders to come forth. "Serving for two terms is a sufficient period to plan, execute and deliver results. It is time for new faces to take over, which I believe is in the interest of Egyptian sports, El-Fouly, vice president of the international Taikendo Federation, told Daily News Egypt. Mubasher, who is also member of the International Judo Federation said that this clause would allow new blood to join the sports field which reinforces the eternal law of succession. President of the Basketball Federation Mahmoud Ahmed Aly, Ayman Younis, board member of the Football Federation, advocate the clause that requires that nominated candidates for the election of any federation to have practiced the sport in question. Aly explained that the chairman and members have to have a solid and a comprehensive understanding of the sport, its regulations and laws, to be able to make decisions based on rationale and informed judgment. Younis also told Daily News Egypt that, "When a chairman is linked to the sport as well as the members, there is common ground upon which efficient management can be attained. Magdy Abdel Ghany, board member of the Football Federation is confident that such a clause would close the door on those who nominate themselves seeking fame rather than being an added value and an asset to the federation. Furthermore, Abdel Ghany has noted that public figures in most cases have failed to add substantial value to the federations they presided. Mohamed Wagih Azam, president of the Cycling Federation, also pointed out that the chairman has to have a background of the sport, as he ought to set policies alongside his colleagues to raise the level of competitiveness to the highest international standards. Ahmed El-Sinterasi, president of the Wrestling Federation, and Mohamed Mahmoud, president of the Weightlifting Federation, are proponents of not allowing members of the federations to be members in the NOC. According to El-Sinterasi being a member in both institutions undermines to a large degree the principal of accountability as well as the NOC authority to monitor and assess the output of each federation on basis of fairness and equality. Mahmoud stressed that the adoption of the clause would enable the NOC to carry out its vital role in analyzing the performance of each federation as well as to ensure that all set plans and goals are being met within the designated time frame. Ahmed Nasser, president of Modern Pentathlon Federation, noted that such a clause would ensure that any conflict of interest is avoided. "It doesn't make sense to assume that members in the NOC would hold themselves accountable as members in the federations, as and when they fail to deliver the expected results, Nasser told Daily News Egypt. On the other hand, Amr Elwany, president of the Volleyball Federation and vice president of the International Volleyball Federation, is not on board with this particular clause. "You just can't disregard the factor of experience in regards to setting the strategy and overseeing the whole picture, Elwany told Daily News Egypt. Elwany emphasized the significant role played by members of international federations, highlighting his role in increasing the national team's interaction with other countries', which has paid off in the technical development of the team.
