Latest news with #OlympicCharter
Daily Maverick
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Swimming SA vs SA Water Polo – landmark body governance battle set to begin in high court
Swimming South Africa's attempted interdict against South Africa Water Polo for, among other matters, 'interfering with governance and administration', will be heard at the Western Cape Division of the High Court on Wednesday. Swimming South Africa's (Swimming SA's) legal battle to enforce an interdict against South Africa Water Polo (SA Water Polo) begins on 14 May at the Western Cape Division of the High Court. Swimming SA initially sent a cease and desist letter, via its attorneys, to SA Water Polo on 19 March requesting that the new governing body 'immediately desist from holding itself out to be the custodian and administrator of water polo in the Republic'. This came after SA Water Polo issued a letter of intent seven days previously, stating its formation as a new governing body was 'dedicated to advancing the game at all levels'. In this letter, posted on social media, SA Water Polo outlined that it was 'not a breakaway' water polo faction, governed by Swimming SA, instead calling it an 'empowered evolution' of the sport in the country. Swimming SA, meanwhile, argued that SA Water Polo 'has been established in contravention of the Sports and Recreation Act, our client's Constitution as well as the Constitution of Sascoc [South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee] – (and the Olympic Charter)'. This will be argued in court. Swimming SA, in its initial cease and desist letter, demanded that SA Water Polo's letter of intent be retracted and that the newly formed group post a separate article in which SA Water Polo 'confirm that water polo is solely administered' by Swimming SA. SA Water Polo did not bow to these legal demands – the matter is now in the hands of the Western Cape Division of the High Court. Swimming SA, in its cease and desist letter, claims SA Water Polo is 'passing itself off as the organiser and administrator of water polo in the Republic'. Swimming SA has also claimed that SA Water Polo has encouraged the boycotting of Swimming SA events and is interfering with its administration of water polo, a claim the new group has vehemently denied. A positive court outcome for SA Water Polo could set a welcome precedent for several other sporting organisations that struggle to elect new leaders under the current structures. Swimming SA also oversees swimming, open water swimming, diving and artistic swimming. South Africa's sporting fraternity has a leadership problem – which Sascoc president Barry Hendricks has admitted – and this could open the door for other sporting codes. State of play SA Water Polo, according to the affidavits submitted by its members, many of whom are currently still registered members of Swimming SA, is not seeking governance of water polo. Instead, its ambitions lie in helping to organise the structures of the sport for it to improve. SA Water Polo does, however, seek to apply for membership at World Aquatics to continue the development of the sport. SA Water Polo argues that with the evolution of the sport, which has become increasingly more professional, Swimming SA's ability to administer the sport is failing. Last year, Swimming SA withdrew the national men's and women's teams from the Paris Olympic Games despite both sides obtaining continental qualification. The decision was devastating to several players and support staff, who had sacrificed careers and studies for the Games. This, among many other factors over the past few years, has emboldened SA Water Polo to organise and attempt to ensure that the sport runs smoothly. SA Water Polo has opened registration for water polo players, officials and coaches and at this stage has accumulated more than 750 signatures. The new organisation plans to use the proof of membership, which exceeds Swimming SA's water polo membership, in its attempt to become a member of World Aquatics — the international aquatics board. SA Water Polo has not yet applied as it continues to hold out the hope of working alongside Swimming SA which, it hopes, will end in a 'peaceful transfer of authority to SA Water Polo to run water polo in South Africa'. Whether SA Water Polo's application will be accepted by World Aquatics is being disputed. While Swimming SA argues that the Sascoc constitution and the Sports and Recreation Act designate and protect it as the sole governing body of the sport, SA Water Polo argues that Swimming SA has no innate right to that position, which should be held by an organisation with the best interests of the sport at heart. Swimming SA has also claimed, through the affidavit of chief executive Shaun Adriaanse, that its 'statutory rights under the National Sport and Recreation Act are threatened with irreparable harm' because of SA Water Polo. DM
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mansoor bin Mohammed leads UAE delegation at 37th meeting of GCC National Olympic Committee Presidents
Mansoor bin Mohammed leads UAE delegation at 37th meeting of GCC National Olympic Committee Presidents KUWAIT: Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee , led the UAE delegation participating in the 37th meeting of the Presidents of the Olympic Committees of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries hosted by Kuwait. The UAE delegation included Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, and Chairman of The Executive Office; Dr Matar Hamed Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to Kuwait; Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee; and Noura Hassan Al Jasmi, Board Member of the Committee. The meeting approved the UAE's proposal to host the inaugural Sports Law and Management Conference in 2026, which is based on themes proactively developed by the National Olympic Committee. Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor These include: the Olympic Charter - between the present and the future (legislative amendments and their impact on sports governance and management); sports management in the digital age (legal challenges and prospects for smart governance); the future of sports legislation (balancing integrity and regulatory independence); dispute resolution in Olympic sports (sports arbitration and contemporary legislation); financing and transparency in Olympic sport (legal frameworks and investment governance); and legal challenges within the framework of the Olympic Charter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo It was also agreed to encourage active participation by GCC member states in the conference through the submission of research papers and case studies showcasing distinguished legal and administrative practices across the region. Discussions addressed funding strategies for the event, underscoring the importance of partnerships with private sector entities and government institutions to ensure a globally recognised conference delivered to the highest professional standards. The use of advanced technologies in the organisation of the event was also endorsed, including interactive applications, live streaming, and digital platforms to broaden engagement and maximise impact. The meeting further endorsed coordination between the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the UAE, in its capacity as Presiding Country for the forthcoming term and represented by the National Olympic Committee, to determine the date and venue for the 38th meeting of Presidents of the GCC Olympic Committees. This meeting will be preceded by the preparatory session of the Executive Office. As part of the proceedings of the 37th meeting, The Executive Office and relevant committees were mandated to review the final report of the 3rd GCC Beach Games, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman. The report will be assessed for its technical and organisational aspects, challenges, and recommendations, with appropriate actions to follow. The meeting also approved the State of Qatar as host of the 4th GCC Sports Games in 2026 and emphasised the need for comprehensive technical and logistical support from the Gulf Olympic Committees to the host nation. It further underlined the importance of enhancing women's participation, in line with the principles of inclusivity and equality across GCC sporting competitions. The request submitted by the Kuwait Olympic Committee to host the 2nd GCC Youth Games in 2028 was also approved, with emphasis placed on strict adherence to age-related technical regulations to ensure fairness and competitive balance among participating nations. The meeting also highlighted the importance of incorporating educational and cultural programmes alongside the Games, wherever feasible, to reinforce sportsmanship and Olympic values among youth. Support for female participation was likewise reaffirmed, in keeping with the GCC's broader commitment to empowering young Gulf women in sport. The Planning, Coordination and Follow-up Committee was authorised to continue preparations for the schedule of upcoming GCC multi-sport events for the years 2029 to 2032, ensuring alignment with international and regional sports calendars. Attendees also examined ways to maximise the impact of the Unified Digital Platform for Gulf Women's Sports, with the aim of ensuring its sustained success. The meeting approved the provision of full support from the Olympic Committees of the GCC member states, enabling the platform to fulfil its objectives. Member states will provide the platform's executive committee with all necessary data related to its digital identity, along with information on sports facilities and tourism landmarks across the GCC. These will serve as key components in promoting sports tourism among platform users. The meeting further approved the organisation of the Gulf Women's Sports Hackathon as an annual or periodic initiative under the supervision of the Advisory Committee for Women's Sports. The initiative seeks to foster innovation in the sector and promote participation by multidisciplinary teams from member states. Participants will receive support in the form of training and engagement opportunities, including workshops and advisory sessions conducted during the hackathon to guide projects and encourage knowledge exchange among experts. Awards will be presented to winning entries, and viable solutions will be supported for implementation at the GCC level. The results of the hackathon will be documented, and innovative ideas disseminated through digital platforms to enhance visibility and long-term impact. Sheikh Mansoor later attended a cultural and folklore event held at the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre.
Reuters
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
LA 2028 Games organisers move to ease IOC concerns over visas
PYLOS, Greece, March 20 (Reuters) - Organisers of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on Thursday moved to ease concerns among International Olympic Committee members over visas and entry requirements for athletes and officials for those Games. Since taking office on January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a number of immigration-related executive orders that focus on stricter border policy, tighter visa vetting procedures and a crackdown on undocumented migrants in the United States. IOC members, including the President of the International Equestrian Federation Ingmar De Vos, asked LA 2028 Games chairman Casey Wasserman at the session in southern Greece about concerns about visas and entry requirements for athletes at the Games given the recent developments in the United States. "We have had four different administrations, three different presidents in our bid process," Wasserman told the IOC session. "All of them have affirmed and reaffirmed their commitment to both full access for everyone and the Olympic Charter. Los Angeles was awarded the Games in 2017. "The Commerce and the State Department under (former President Joe) Biden at the end, created an accelerated visa programme specifically for athletes," Wasserman said. "And in my many conversations with President Trump and Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio, they understand the scale and complexity required to deliver these Games, the access required for not just athletes but for delegations and the incredibly short timeframe on which to do those." The IOC has repeatedly said it was fully confident of the full support of Trump for the Games, with the president also in charge back in 2017 when the U.S. won the nod to host them. "We will have a fully staffed desk at State (department) focusing just on this issue in the next 12 months to get prepared for this and I don't anticipate any problems from any country to come and participate and have their delegations in full force and be part of the Games in Los Angeles," Wasserman said.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'One crisis after another': Outgoing Bach on his IOC presidency
Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has said that "I enjoyed every day" although his 12 years in office were "one crisis after another and sometimes several at the same time." Russian state doping, the Ukraine war and the coronavirus were some of the big issues the 71-year-old German had to tackle as the most powerful man in world sports. The 1976 fencing gold medallist had long left the Olympic Movement in uncertainty whether he would seek a third term which would have required a change of the Olympic Charter. But Bach eventually said at the end of last year's vastly successful Paris Games that he will stick to the current rules and step down. His successor will be elected on Thursday by the IOC Session from seven candidates, and will start on June 23 when Bach leaves the IOC after 34 years. "He led the IOC through a time of big challenges and hands it over to his successor in an excellent state," said Thomas Weikert, president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). Weikert said said Bach's reform packages Olympic Agenda 2020 and Olympic Agenda 2020+5 have made the Olympic Movement fit for the future. Close to Putin and Xi But Bach has also been criticised for his reign as the ninth IOC president, especially in his home country. He has been accused of being on too friendly terms with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi jinping, too lenient regarding human rights violations in Olympic host nations, and of a too big concentration of power at the top of the IOC. Karla Borger, president of the Athletes Germany group, also criticised recently on Deutschlandfunk radio that athletes had no sufficient rights of co-determination and should also receive more from the IOC's billion-dollars earnings. Bach has admitted that "there is still a lot to do" but he added: "I would have liked many things, but that's not the way the world is, you can't achieve everything in 12 years." Looking at the fractured relationship with Putin, he said: "Perhaps I sometimes believed too strongly and for too long in the good nature of people." Russia and other crises Bach had heaped praise on Russia after the expensive Sochi Winter Games in 2014, speaking of "a new Russia" which was "efficient, friendly, patriotic and open for the world." A few days later Russia annexed Crimea, and Bach and the IOC came under even more pressure when the whole scope of Russia's doping practices - including at the Sochi Games - was uncovered. Russians were still allowed to compete, as neutral athletes, in PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 before the Ukraine war started a few days after the Beijing closing ceremony and led to a full break-up. Russia was banned from international sport, the IOC stripped Putin of the Olympic Order, and Bach told publishers Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that "I am called a Nazi in Russia since then." A few Russians were then allowed to compete in Paris as neutral athletes. Bach has admitted that all Games during his presidency were "on the brink" at some stage, from financial trouble at Rio 2016, the political crisis around North Korea around PyeongChang, to Tokyo and Beijing against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. Paris and beyond It was not until Paris that the Olympics became again what Bach had envisioned with his reforms. "The Games have become more sustainable, more urban and younger," German IOC member Michael Mronz said, naming this "the cleasr thumbprint of Thomas Bach." Mronz also defended Bach against the criticism from within Germany. "We are world champions at denigrating personalities. We even managed that with (football icon) Franz Beckenbauer," he said. Mronz said that Bach is perceived positively in large parts of the world, and "it can't be that all these countries are wrong and only we are right." Bach's positive outlook Bach also gives himself a good leaving diploma, saying the IOC is "healthier than ever before, looking at the numbers and facts." Host cities have been selected until 2034, and there are plenty of interested parties for 2036 and beyond. US broadcasters NBC have just renewed their contract until 2036 for $3 billion, and sponsorship money is also flowing even though long-time partners like Toyota, Panasonic and Bridgestone have left. Gender equality, the creation of Esports Olympics to be held in Saudi Arabia, and the use of Artificial Intelligence are other areas tackled during Bach's reign. The next president Bach's successor will face further big tasks, ranging from gender issues to climate change and its effect on finding future Winter Games hosts. Six men including World Athletics president Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry are bidding to be elected on Thursday by the IOC members. Zimbabwe's Coventry is said to be Bach's favourite and would be the first women to got the top job in world sport. What is next for Bach? Bach has said he will not remain active in the background once he steps down, while Weikert hopes that Bach may get involved in the DOSB again, having been its president 2006-2013. Bach's first plans after his IOC exit are meanwhile of a very different nature. "First of all I will sleep for at least four weeks. And then I'm going to go on a pilgrimage along the Way of St James and let myself be inspired all by myself," he said.
Jordan News
10-02-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Amended Customs Regulations for Aqaba Economic Zone - Jordan News
The Cabinet has approved an amendment to the customs regulations for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone for the year 2025. اضافة اعلان The amendment aims to empower the Customs Enforcement Unit within the Customs Department to apply the specific customs regulations within the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, in accordance with the agreed-upon customs procedures between the Customs Department and the Aqaba Authority. Tax Settlement and Business Facilitation Measures To facilitate business operations, support investment, and stimulate economic activity, the Cabinet approved the recommendation of the Committee for Pending Tax Issues between taxpayers and the Income and Sales Tax Department. The decision includes settling 1,082 tax cases related to companies and taxpayers. This decision aligns with the government's approach to tax settlements and financial relief measures introduced in recent months. Regulatory and Administrative Updates The Cabinet also approved the justifications for the Jordan Olympic Committee Regulation for 2025 . The amendments ensure compliance with updates to the Olympic Charter issued by the International Olympic Committee. Key updates include: Defining the Jordan Olympic Committee's structure, including the General Assembly, Board of Directors, Executive Office, and independent and auxiliary committees. structure, including the General Assembly, Board of Directors, Executive Office, and independent and auxiliary committees. Expanding the Committee's roles and responsibilities . . Revising membership criteria and conditions for active members. Establishing new provisions on membership termination and governance. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the formation of the West Irbid Magistrate Court for 2025 due to the growing population in the area. This move aims to ease the burden on the existing Irbid Magistrate Court and improve access to judicial services for residents.
