V General Assembly in Casablanca report

For a few days, Casablanca was peppered with the singular presence of over 100 delegates (most of them blind persons), who had gone there to present, discuss and seek ideal solutions to the complex and, at the same time, promising situation in which competition sport for the blind and visually impaired finds itself all over the world. The balance could not be more favourable: the unity of the countries represented there - 51 national delegates attended - was reaffirmed, centred on the new Constitution which contains the statutory regulations for the future of the Federation and on the need for a firm stance in the discussions with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), for the defence of the rights of our athletes. Enrique Sanz was unanimously re-elected president of IBSA.

Although the official dates for holding this V IBSA General Assembly were June 12-14, the city of Casablanca and, more particularly, the foyers and halls of the Hotel Hyatt, witnessed tremendous activity from Wednesday 11th. Over a hundred delegates from the most diverse corners of the world were rushing around in the run-up to a congress in which - although there were moments of leisure, thanks to the extraordinary hospitality of the Moroccan Royal Family - everyone got down to serious work from the very start.

The Assembly had to tackle a priority question, of an institutional nature, although also with an extremely important operational aspect: the modification of the IBSA By-laws, with the passing of a new CONSTITUTION, which will have to regulate the future operation and internal relations of the Federation. Moreover, from a purely sporting standpoint, as a result of the intervention of our Technical Manager, Brian Scobie, a lively debate was initiated, analysing the relations with the IPC and the questions of the Regulations, Calendars of events and the organisation of same. Advantage was taken of the presence of the IPC president, Robert Steadward, (who was one of the invited guests), and the vice-president and technical officer of this organisation (Jens Bromann and Hans Lindström respectively), attending the IBSA Assembly as delegates from Denmark and Sweden.

NEW CONSTITUTION

The development of sports for the blind all over the world, and the consequent expansion of our Federation in recent years had resulted in the reality surpassing the functional forecasts that IBSA set itself at the outset: the Statutes had become obsolete. Convinced of this fact, the Executive drew up a proposal for a new Constitution to replace them and presented it for approval before the Assembly. In drafting this document, we had the assistance, in Spain, of Santiago Muñoz Machado's legal consultancy office, one of whose members - Mario Rodríguez - was present in Casablanca to clear up any doubts the delegates might have had.

The most striking innovation is the move from the previous 7 regions to 5, one corresponding to each continent: Africa, Asia, America, Europe and Oceania. This question was fully analysed and the North American representatives (James Neppl and our vice-president Oral Miller) stressed the danger inherent in the magnitude and diversity - of cultures, languages, development, etc. - of the new regions. The president Enrique Sanz replied that this was indeed so, but that this was a problem "that was raised in very similar terms with respect to the structure of 7 Regions"; and he went on to add that the solution would require "a greater working coordination, subdividing all tasks into areas and establishing a network of delegates who must work hard and in a fully synchronised manner within each Region."

Once the new structure was passed, it was unanimously stressed that it should be the IBSA (national) members who take charge of the negotiations with their respective state administrations and public and private institutions in order to foster the development of our sports, leaving IBSA the task of supporting and coordinating such actions.

As regards the official headquarters of the Federation, approval was given to Madrid (Spain), where it has been registered and the Presidency is presently located, although it was specified that "IBSA shall maintain an operational office for the administration of its services and programmes wherever the Executive Committee may decide". It was also agreed to adopt the nature of a Federation (as "an association of associations" that IBSA defines itself), whilst maintaining its initials, and to establish the participation of a minimum of one third of the member nations as a sufficient quorum in order to constitute future Assemblies.

Another key point was the creation of a Management Committee, a body dependent on the Executive Committee, but more reduced in number: it shall comprise the President, Secretary General, Treasurer and Technical Manager of IBSA. Its purpose is to expedite, and make more operational, the decision-making process and the general administration of the Federation, given the practical impossibility - fundamentally due to economic problems - of the Executive Committee meeting up more than once a year, as one delegate had requested.

As for the question of it being preferable that the national delegates at the IBSA Assembly should be blind, there was a lively debate leading to the resolution to maintain the wording, given that - as was clarified - the idea is "to establish a priority, not to veto in any sense prospective non-blind representatives".

IBSA-IPC

The other major issue at the Assembly revolved around the relations with the IPC. The report from IBSA's technical manager, Brian Scobie, proved most enlightening in its summary of the diffi-culties that have arisen in recent years. As he explained, there was no Technical Department as such in the beginning and, once one was formed, the first difficulties arose - regarding concepts - with the IPC technical personnel.

He defended his idea that the Paralympic Committee should establish global rules and then it should be the respective Federations, with their long tradition and experience, "who should adapt them to the specific conditions of their athletes". A clear example of this is to be found in the Regulations and Classification Systems - Mr Scobie warned - as, "had we not defended our posture so fiercely, we might have seen our sporting movement practically paralysed".

In any case, he recognised that things had changed to a more open climate of discussion since the meeting in Lausanne with the IOC president, Mr Samaranch, and admitted that the IPC is a "great tool" for sports for disabled persons, although he qualified this by saying "that it must be positive for all, in the same way as IBSA may be most useful to the Committee".

On the question of our sports, he pointed out that there are now 15 authorised disciplines and several others are pushing for recognition, but he warned that "we must be prudent in order to guarantee the EQUILIBRIUM of our sports development. Our mission" - he went on - "is to promote, support and extend the sports, but it is then up to the countries themselves, and their athletes, to foster their acceptance through their practice."

As regards the structure of his Department, he explained that a reduced Committee holds periodical meetings (every 2 or 3 months) and presented his "assistant", also in charge of the Skiing Subcommittee, Pau Serracanta. "All this work demands a full commitment to collaboration from the member nations. They must inform us in advance of the organisation of Championships, pass on their doubts and initiatives, and realise that the multi-disability competitions, together with their pros, also have cons, such as the reduction in the calendar specifically for blind athletes and the decline in the participation quotas for our athletes."

He also commented the latest technical innovations which, in Athletics, affect the 100m. races which will be run in groups of 4 runners, instead of individually; in the relays, where passing on the "baton" will be replaced by a simple physical contact between the runners; in Swimming, the swimmers may be warned verbally when they approach the end of the pool; in Alpine Skiing, the B-3 skiers will be obliged to compete accompanied by a guide; and in Football, the FIFA rules will be adopted - suitably adapted - with respect to the design of the ball, the side walls, etc.

He finished off by calling for a rejuvenation of our athletes and an extension to more countries within Africa, Asia and Latin America. "This is the key to ensuring our future: youth and renovation", he concluded.

IPC REPLY

The president of the IPC, Robert Steadward, put across a most positive message in his intervention. He expressed his gratitude for the invitation and emphasised "the youthfulness" of the Paralympic Movement, of which, as he explained, "IBSA is a founding member". He summarised the results of the 8 years the IPC has been in existence, in which it has gone from 43 to 150 member nations (plus 25 applications pending) and qualified this as a "key moment", with the Sydney 2000 Games on the horizon and the proliferation of many National Paralympic Committees. "With the support of the IOC," he announced, "we are working on a programme of international sponsorship," for which he predicted significant results.

In that context, he named amongst his priorities the question of collaboration with the International Federations in sports development programmes, and most particularly in projects aimed at solidarity with countries with serious financial problems.

"IPC recognises the special characteristics and needs of each Federation. For that reason, we are seeking a cooperation agreement that respects the calendars and singularities of each group. This objective will take some time to negotiate, but it will become a reality," he declared with respect to the new atmosphere open to dialogue that now exists. "We form an organisation that is, inevitably, complex, but the only way of advancing is by making decisions and responding to the challenges that arise."

In his presentation of Mr Steadward, Enrique Sanz had recognised the evident difficulties involved in Paralympic coordination, as well as the positive attitude of the IPC president towards overcoming obstacles. "We have always made it clear that we wish to be together with the other disabled groups", the IBSA president affirmed. "It now remains for the technical bodies to reach agreements from the premise of mutual respect."

Mr Steadward qualified the task facing the Paralympic Movement as "formidable yet attractive" and declared that "in order to survive and leave behind a great legacy for the future, unity is demanded of us .... we need you all and, personally, I am most proud of our friendly relationship."

The IPC technical officer, Hans Lindström, also addressed the Assembly, hopeful that "the Lausanne agreements would produce positive results and prove effective". He defended the opportunities opened up to the athletes by the programme of multiple disabilities conceived by the IPC for the Paralympic Games: "Naturally, specific events could be organised for each handicapped group," he remarked, but, in his view, the fact that they were opened up to others could increase their possibilities of participating and increase standards.

He fisnished off with a personal commitment: I would propose that influence for IBSA in the SAECs should be secured, and I am prepared to defend to the end. In addition, in all the meetings of the Committee that deal with questions relating to blind sports, I want the IBSA technical representatives to be present and their opinions taken into consideration."

The interventions were interspersed with those of other delegates who wished to express their views. From Germany, it was considered necessary to progressively introduce inter-disability championships in order "to reach the Paralympic elite level", whilst the technical manager of IBSA stressed the need to "guarantee the rights of all without exclusions and boost grass-roots sports", and Mr Lindström highlighted the situation in the smaller countries, where the lack of athletes obliges those with distinct disabilities to compete together.

In the general atmosphere of open discussion and consensus, the conclusion was reached that the two competition levels should be promoted, guaranteeing the rights of the different disabled groups and, at the same time, encouraging a raise in the standard of Paralympic sport.

At that moment, the veteran Canadian delegate, Geraldine York, spoke out in a visibly emotional manner: "We are witnessing an historic moment that truly moves me. Were it not for the work of people like Enrique (Sanz), Bob (Steadward), Lindström and Scobie, we would never have got this far."

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Enrique Sanz presented his report for the last four years. He began by referring to the importance, for the world of disabled sport, of the Technical Departments and mentioned the difficulties caused by the decision of the former IBSA official, Lou Moneymaker, to retire and the subsequent search for someone to replace him, "until we were lucky enough to be able to count on the services of Brian Scobie, thus permitting us to escape from the paralysed situation in which we found ourselves." He also referred to the subsequent incorporation of Pau Serracanta, as Mr Scobie's assistant, and expressed his confidence that this team would defend the rights of the blind and visually impaired athletes and boost the expansion of our competition sports.

He further stressed the support of the Spanish Government and Administration in the question of the legal registration of IBSA in Spain and, particularly, the aid of the Spanish blind organisation, ONCE, in carrying on the great work that IBSA has before it.

He offered an analysis of "the need to create, and obtain public recognition for, national sports organisations for the blind and visually impaired in every country," in order to achieve full capacity for action and autonomy, and encouraged the delegates there present to boost such initia- tives in their respective nations.

In addition, he highlighted the advances registered in such aspects as the change of "corporate image", the new flag, etc. He referred to contacts with the mass media (through initial incursions in the news and advertising fields), in order to get across to the general public the image and the work carried out by IBSA all over the world. He also requested the decisive support of the member nations for this institutional maga- zine, BSI, in the form of sending, well in advance, news of forthcoming events, reports, etc. This would require persons to be appointed in each country and Region to handle these matters. "BSI must be transformed into a sports publication but, for this to happen, we need your collaboration," he said.

As regards the direct actions undertaken in the last four years, he stated that the organisation had intervened in 37 countries in all five continents, with special praise for the work of the, until now, member of the Executive Committee, Björn Eklund, who received a tribute from the whole Assembly for all his good work in this field. Special mention was afforded to the results of the actions and seminars carried out in Kenya. "We are extremely proud of the results of this project," Brian Scobie declared. For Mr Sanz, the vital factors in this field are coordination and the establishment of joint plans of action with the World Blind Union (WBU), in such essential aspects as the integration of women and youngsters in sporting activities, "establishing plans of action in schools, rehabilitation institutions, etc."

The Treasurer, Cees Smit, presented the accounts which were unanimously approved, and requested that the member nations not wait until the last minute to send in their membership fees, bringing their payments up to date just before each Assembly, "as this system causes serious financing and operational difficulties."

ELECTIONS

Following two intense days of debate, the election took place for the new Executive Committee of IBSA, which is reduced from 17 to 15 members, with the elimination of two vice-presidencies and two regional representatives (the Regions having gone from 7 to 5), and the addition of two further members-at-large. The principal members (president, vice-president, secretary general, treasurer and technical and medical managers) were re-elected in their respective positions, with the exception of the medical manager, a post now occupied by Roman Tolmachov, from Russia. The final composition is therefore as reflected in the box on this page.

The president, Enrique Sanz, took advantage of his closing address to thank the Moroccan Royal Family and public authorities for their hospitality and full collaboration, and to send a political message to all the delegates there present. "We must remain united in an atmosphere of reflection, coherence and common sense. Our possibilities of survival in the future depend on this. We must continue working along these lines, as passivity will not get us anywhere. This work must be carried out, principally, with the protagonists of our Federation, namely the blind and visually impaired athletes - and, most of all, with the female and youth sectors - but also with the public authorities and the private institutions, whose involvement is indispensable if our projects are to achieve the success they deserve."

IBSA ADOPTS A NEW CONSTITUTION

The International Blind Sports Federation "comes of age" in Casablanca

Special correspondents: Fernando García and Javier Merchán

Enrique Sanz, unanimously re-elected president of a federation that now brings together 90 countries and is structured in 5 continental Regions

report

ROYAL PATRONAGE

Morocco has literally thrown itself into supporting this event in Casablanca. Under the patronage of King Hassan, represented by Princess Lamia, who officially inaugurated the Assembly, this event also counted on the presence of the Sports minister, Ahmed Ameziane, and the head of the High Commission for Disabled Persons, Aziza Bennani, who addressed the Assembly personally in order to welcome the delegates and offer the full collaboration of their country in the development of sports for the blind in Morocco and the whole of the North African region. Also present, amongst others, as guest observers, were the IOC Sports Director, Gilbert Felli, the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Robert Steadward, and the President of the European Blind Union - on behalf of the World Blind Union, John Wall.

NEW EXECUTIVE

The Executive of IBSA, the maximum governing body between General Assemblies, was finally constituted as follows:

* President: Enrique Sanz (Spain).

* Vice-President: Oral Miller (United States).

* Secretary General: Michel Berthézène (France).

* Treasurer: Cees Smit (Holland).

* Medical Manager: Roman Tolmachov (Russia).

* Technical Manager: Brian Scobie (Great Britain).

* Regional Chairpersons: Hossam Mostafá (Africa);

Alberto Bravo (America); Bruno Meschiari (Europe)

and Greg Scott (Oceania). An electoral process remains pending to decide upon the Asian representative, as this could not be carried out, due to formalities, between the three candidates who were presented:

Masoud Momaei (Iran), Alexander Tarabikinen (Dubai) and Daud Amin (Malaysia)

* Members-at-large: James Neppl (United States); Vital S. Neto (Brazil); Geraldine York (Canada) and Oleg Mouraviov (Russia).