IBSA-IPC :THERE WILL BE DIALOGUE
The Scottish teacher, BRIAN SCOBIE, IBSA's Technical Officer, was in Madrid (Spain) at the beginning of February at the request of the President of IBSA, Enrique Sanz. His agenda for this visit was packed with meetings and reunions but, during one of his breaks, the Technical Officer conceded us an interesting interview. This was just days before the extremely important meeting between IBSA and the IPC, with the International Olympic Committee acting as mediator - covered elsewhere in this issue - from which we can draw most positive conclusions for the world of disabled sport, particularly that of the blind and visually impaired.
	BRIAN SCOBIE, IBSA TECHNICAL OFFICER COOPERATION QUESTION: What is the main reason behind your visit to Spain? ANSWER: To discuss the serious crisis currently affecting relations between our Federation and the International Paralympic Committee. Moreover, I have been analyzing, with the management of the Spanish National Organization for the Blind (ONCE) and representatives of IBSA, the possibility of holding the World Championships for the Blind next year, 1998, in Madrid. Q: In your opinion, what is the current "state of health" of sports for the blind and visually impaired, in particular, and for the disabled in general? A: There is no need for me to confirm or ratify this question. The latest results, the most recent - i.e. the Atlanta '96 Paralympic Games - clearly demonstrate that the standard reached by the Paralympic athletes is truly significant and worthy of taking into consideration. We are managing to get across to the general public -previously unaware of our sport - a sober, serious image of what an athlete, with a certain handicap, is capable of achieving. It's a pity that the level of organization was not up to the excellent sporting level. ACHIEVEMENTS AND OBJETIVES Q: It is now more than a year and a half since you were appointed Technical Officer of IBSA. What are your most significant achievements and what are the most important goals you have set yourself? A: First of all, I wish to take this opportunity to thank IBSA, through the person of its president, Enrique Sanz, for the confidence they have placed in me to hold a position with so much responsibility. I therefore hope to be able to live up to the expectations that are being raised with respect to my administration. I must also state that, when I took charge of the technical section of IBSA, I observed that it had been totally paralysed for nearly three years. So, the first goal I set myself was to coordinate, first of all, and then boost the different activities of the subcommittees. To this end, I started up an initial series of "drastic measures", which was fundamentally guided by the spirit and intrinsic philosophy of IBSA. To tell the truth, we are now working with a different structure and, even, a distinct mentality. The true baptism of fire for this whole plan was the Atlanta '96 Paralympic Games. As for the second part of your question, I must say that my intention for the medium and long-term future is to gradually increase the number of countries participating in the competitions we organize, improve the quality of the sporting events, expand the calendar of events and continue increasing the list of sports sanctioned by IBSA. For example, we wish to authorize - in the not too distant future - such activities as GOLF, CRICKET, EQUESTRIANISM, BOWLS and SAILING, some of which are already being practised with successful results. I also consider it a top priority to develop sports for the blind in the developing countries. We shall be making special plans for Latin American, African and East European countries and we shall attempt to get the governments and national institutions involved in the process of regulating sports for the blind in these countries. Q: With respect to the Atlanta '96 Paralympic Games, what conclusions have you drawn now that a few months have passed? A: I would go so far as to say that the principal technical problems at Atlanta were not "exactly technical", although for the blind and visually impaired athletes there were some particularly tense moments, for the most part caused by the organizational chaos I mentioned before. I really missed a greater degree of control over the competitions. I believe the athletes will agree with me, especially since they were the ones most affected by these questions. Q: What is your viewpoint with respect to the relations between IBSA and the IPC? A: I believe we have no alternative but to understand each other. In the end, there will be dialogue and cooperation. But all of this depends on the favourable disposition of the International Paralympic Committee. I feel that the mediation of Mr Samaranch will be most positive. Any agreement, in the end, can only benefit both parties. Q: What is your opinion of the stance adopted by the ONCE in this conflict? A: I believe it is truly commendable and in no way high-handed. I use this expression - which, by the way, I am not very fond of - in order to silence those malicious interpretations that some may make of my visit to Madrid and, in particular, to the Spanish Organization for the Blind. I feel that this Institution is making an inestimable effort when it comes to supporting IBSA. Q: Finally, IBSA's General Assembly is just around the corner. We know it is going to be held in Casablanca (Morocco), but can you tell us anything more about it? A: Well, as you have said, preparations are well under way for the Assembly. We are receiving really close collaboration, on the organizational front, from the Moroccan government and we are even negotiating the possible presence of King Hassan II of Morocco at the formal opening ceremony of the Assembly. In addition, one of the main themes will be the ratification of the agreement reached with the IPC, apart from the logical discussions and debates that arise in an assembly of this kind.