EAF
CONGRESS MEETING 18TH JUNE 2002
BRECLAV CZECH REPUBLIC PART 1
Meeting opened at 18.45
Those present:
Assen Hadjitodorov
Bulgaria
Mr. Gusov
Russia
Vladimir Petrenko
Ukraine
Kim Shoesmith
England
Milan Svoboda
Czech Republic
Eva Grossmanova
Czech Republic
Neil Pickup
England
Willy Deneumostier
Belgium (Proxy vote for Gregory Scheider France)
David Shead
England
Harri Naskali
Finland
Petra Spatz
Germany
Andy Scherrer
Switzerland
Pascal Girard
Switzerland
David Eilertsen
Norway
Kamil Kehale
Turkey
Alison Cox
England
Alexander Filimonov
Russia
Ovseyan Andranis
Armenia
Igor Shishkov
Uzbekistan
Roine Eklund
Sweden
Sylvester Giuliay
Hungary
Kathy Defeche
Belgium
Mr Joaquin Jamie
Spain
Motti Benita
Israel
David Tchalidze
Georgia
Anna Korzeniewska Poland
Pavel Zhivora
Russia
Valery Babuk Belarus
Milan Capla
Slovakia
Dimiter Dachiev Bulgaria
Stanisastus Mednig
Latvia
23
Countries represented
Members absent
Lithuania
Assen
Hadjitodorov opened the meeting and welcomed everybody.
1.
Opening speech, reports of the co-presidents;
Mr.
Gusov:
Welcomed
everybody and thanked them for coming, He hopes that we will all understand
each other and the first step of success has been taken. We all want the
same thing unification, which is the only way we can look at the IOC
prospective. Everybody has the agenda and his proposal was to discuss all
the things concerning these championships.
He
suggests that we vote for the Head Referee and the Director of Scoring and
the jury.
For
some reasons he did not have the chance to discuss some questions with his
board i.e.: His federation has a proposal of confirming 3 degrees of awards
Bronze, Silver & Gold which will be the highest. To confirm the flag of
the EAF Federation, the example of the International license for referees
& a commission who will approve the candidates. Diplomas of the Armsport
Federation.
He
hopes to discuss these matters with his board before tomorrow’s congress
meeting.
Therefore
his proposal is to discuss current things today and the 1st aim
is to unify.
(Mr
Capla arrived 19.00)
Assen
Hadjitodorov
He
is very happy that after 4 years of separation that we are all here together
again and to have a unified EAF Championships. He hopes that we will not
make the same mistakes of the past and that we will stay together.
He thanked the hosting Federation the Czech Republic who engaged with
everybody to achieve these unified championships. He thinks that in the 4
years apart that both sides have brought their Federations forward but it is
better to be together.
We need official recognition for the EAF to show that we are working
and the main reason to vote for unification is to work in a democratic way.
We all know we have a lot of problems in front of us to discuss and resolve.
I ask that everybody has a right to express their opinion but should also
listen to others opinions as well.
In front of you is the financial report from Assen and if there are no
questions on this please ask him.
The
members were asked for questions on the report but there was none.
Moved
onto discuss the agenda. Assen thanked members for spending their money to
come to these championships and he hopes for a very positive outcome to this
Congress meeting, and to achieve unification.
Mr
Gusov
Asked
that each side discusses their own financial report with their members and
tomorrow he will present his financial report.
Milan
Capla
He is
happy that we are all here together in a large group of the people who like
armsport. We are all speaking to responsible people like the GAISF, and
having discussions on discipline.
Willy
Deneumostier
Thanked
Mr. Milan Svoboda and stated that we are here to discuss the EAF and if any
members want to discuss the WAF they can speak to himself of Milan Capla.
Milan
Svoboda
He is
very happy that we are all here together and welcomed the members to this
championships.
He
thanked Petra Spatz for her hard work towards this meeting.
2.
Formal Arrangements;
Vote
for the chairman/speaker;
He
proposed that the members choose Petra Spatz & Eva Grossmanov to chair
the meeting.
Petra
Spatz
She is
very happy that we are here and hopes we can have a successful meeting and
we need a neutral chairperson for this meeting to make the votes for next
year which will be accepted by all and make this meeting a success.
Proposes
Neil Pickup.
Milan
Capla
Proposes
Assen Hadjitodorov & Mr Gusov
Pavel
Zhivora
Expressed
in his opinion that we are here to unify and his proposal is to vote for the
2 presidents to be the neutral persons.
Both
David Eilertsen from Norway and Kamil Kehale were nominated but neither
wanted to accept this position.
VOTE
TAKEN
For
one neutral person to chair the meeting
16 votes
For the
2 President to chair the meeting
2 votes
Abstain
5 votes
Vote
carried
VOTE
TAKEN
Petra
Spatz to chair the meeting
9 votes
Neil
Pickup to chair the meeting
12 votes
Abstain
2 votes
Neil
Pickup
Thanked
the members for their confidence in him and he would do his best to get
through the agenda as quickly as possible.
Vote for the minute keepers
one from each EAF
Proposals
are;
Kim
Shoesmith & Larissa to take the minutes
Petra
Spatz to count the votes
VOTE
TAKEN
All in favor
David
Shead
All the
minutes are agreed by both sides and then approved by the members.
Everyone limited speech 3
mins.
VOTE
TAKEN
To
limit the time per speaker to 3 mins
All in favor
Kamil Kehale
We cannot
be unified until we have one federation; so number 5 on the agenda will be
answered.
3. Approval of the agenda of
the Congress
Neil Pickup
To vote
for the approval of the agenda
Clarified
the point that we would be voting on unification today. On that one point.
VOTE
TAKEN
To unify
today 20
votes
Abstain
3 votes
Mr Gusov
Stated
that this was not his proposal but it was to discuss the points for this
championships arrangement only.
.
4Vote
for unification of the armsport federation.
Petra
Spatz
We want
unification
Neil
Pickup
We will
vote again for and against unification today
VOTE
TAKEN
For
unification today 23 Votes
Mr
Gusov
Now let
us discuss the arrangements for these championships.
Neil
Pickup
Proceed
with the agenda
Point 7
needs to be taken out as this has been covered now.
Point 10
should be taken out as we are here to discuss EAF not WAF.
VOTE
TAKEN
To take
these two points out
20 Votes
Abstain
3 votes
Assen
Hadjitorodov
Translated
the agenda.
VOTE
TAKEN
To
approve the agenda points 1-6, 8 & 9, 11-14
23 votes all in favor.
He
reminded the congress that we must listen to each other.
5.This
championship arrangements
Vote
for the Head Referee
General
discussions about whether these posts should stand for one year or 2 years
(2004).
Various
opinions were that we should do this year first, to make a vote and not to
discuss for a further 2 hours
Alexander
Filimonov
So there
is no misunderstanding firstly we are unified and we do not have a new
constitution to follow so we must follow the old one and should elect a head
referee, a secretary, a chairman of the appeals committee, 2 members of the
appeals committee and two secretaries. He suggested two sets of people.
Latvia
He does
not understand why the Head Referee is not from the hosting country.
David
Shead
The Head
Referee is only the Head referee for the EAF and acts in this role at the
European Championships. Usually for a term of 4 years.
These
statutes have been registered with the European Community.
Neil
Pickup
We must
move forward on this and should support anything that givers the EAF more
recognition.
Milan
Capla
It is
more important to discuss these championships.
Neil
Pickup
Clarified
there are two proposals;
1 to vote
a head referee for 1 year
2 to vote
a head referee for two years
VOTE
TAKEN
For the
post to be for one year
6 votes
For the
post to be for two years
13 votes
Abstain
4 votes
Mr Gusov
& Kamil Kehale proposed David Shead
Alexander
Filimonov proposed Harri Naskali
VOTE
TAKEN
For David
Shead
9 votes
For Harri
Naskali
12 votes
Abstain
2 votes
Vote
for Director of scorekeeping
Director
of Score Keeping for 1 year or 2 years
VOTE TAKEN
For 1 year
3 votes
For 2 years
15 votes
Abstain
5 votes
Proposals for Director of scorekeepers are;
Kim Shoesmith
9 Votes
Marian Capla
12 votes
Abstain
2 votes
David Shead
Proposed we vote all the positions for 1 year or 2 years instead of
separately.
Some discussion was held by Latvia but was not suitable to be
translated into English.
Latvia
Pointed out Marian Capla had developed a computer system for the
scorekeeping.
Willy Deneumostier
Pointed out that Kim Shoesmith had done the same.
6. The next European
Championships
Report
of Petra Spatz- Germany
Petra
talked about the championships for next year happy to say that it will be in
the holidays in Germany near to Frankfurt and she hopes that all the members
will come. It will be held from the 22nd of July 2002
On the Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
She hoped
that we would finish this meeting in a good way and continue this good work
for next year.
Assen
Hadjitodorov
Last year
in Italy myself and Mr Gusov agreed to got to Germany but he would like the
Congress to vote on this to make it more official.
VOTE
TAKEN
To hold
Europeans in Germany 2003
All in favor
Countries with two federations
Neil
Pickup
Discussing
how countries with 2 Federations will be treated at the next championships
Assen
Hadjitorodov
The
question is to avoid these situations and treat those countries with 2
Federations correctly.
Alexander
Filimonov
He feels
that it is the responsibility of the EAF to verify that the Federation they
will accept is the one properly recognized and supported by the country’s
government. The one that has the official paperwork from their ministry of
sport.
Russia
has recently had two Federations and they held united championships and they
can suggest to other countries in a similar position to do the same. Both of
the Russian Federations took part and it was recognized by the State IOC.
His
proposal is that the EAF recognize the Federation with the official
documentation from their Government/Sports Ministry/IOC.
Pavel
Zhivora
Stated
that the words from Mr Filimonov were not the truth and that indeed there
was a united Championships, where they held a conference where Mr Filimonov
voted for the point that our official sports Federation recognized his
Federation. Is it common to vote for yourself?
He offered to check all the official paperwork from the sports
ministry.
His
proposal it to allow both Russian Federations to compete next year.
Willy
Deneumostier
This is
not allowed by our constitution. We made an exception for this year, as we
wanted the unification.
The best
thing to do is to follow the constitution.
Mr
Gusov
The
Russian constitution allows there to be two Federations, and we cannot speak
about the EAF constitution as a new one does not exist yet.
Milan
Capla
Some
Federations are big some are small, many different sports have more than one
federation so does it matter. As long as only the best 2 are represented at
the EAF Championships.
Pascal
Girard
For once
he agrees with Milan Capla that it doesn’t matter how many Federations
there are in a country as long as only one team represents the EAF
Championships.
Eva
Grossmanova
Also
agrees with this point as long as we allow one competitor from each
Federation.
Proposal
that if the two Federations cannot decide who to decide to send then the EAF
will decide to accept one from each side but only if they cannot agree.
Willy
Deneumostier
To
clarify the EAF and the WAF’s constitution that they can only recognized
one member Federation from each country.
David
Eilertsen
We should
make small steps not big steps it is very important for our mail goal is IOC
recognition and the Olympics. Norway is already recognized by their
countries IOC and to get the recognition we must only have one National
federation.
Alexander
Filimonov
As long
as the EAF keep open communication to both national Federations and look at
which one is recognized by their national Government/Sports Ministry.
Milan
Capla
This is
an internal problem that Russia needs to sort out.
Mr Gusov
We should
not break the rules.
VOTE
TAKEN
That the
EAF will recognize only one National Federation and verify the official one
9 votes in favor
The
EAF do not mind how many National Federations there are but only allow one
team at the EAF with two athletes
7 votes in favor
Hungary
and Armenia are absent
Therefore there will be only one team recognized by the EAF for
Germany next year.
Weight classes
This was decided to leave
this discussion until tomorrow and any suggestions should be put in writing
for tomorrows meeting.
General
discussion and it was decided to leave the rest of the agenda until
tomorrow’s meeting
A few
points of information with regards to tomorrow.
Meeting
was adjourned at 21.40.
EAF
CONGRESS MEETING 19TH JUNE 2002
BRECLAV CZECH REPUBLIC PART 2
Meeting opened at 19.25
Those present:
Assen Hadjitodorov
Bulgaria
Mr Gusov
Russia
(absent)
Vladimir Petrenko
Ukraine
Kim Shoesmith
England
Milan Svoboda
Czech Republic
(absent)
Eva Grossmanova
Czech Republic
Neil Pickup
England
Willy Deneumostier
Belgium (Proxy vote for Gregory Scheider France)
David Shead
England
Harri Naskali
Finland
Petra Spatz
Germany
Andy Scherrer
Switzerland
Pascal Girard
Switzerland
David Eilertsen
Norway
Kamil Kehale
Turkey
Alison Cox
England
Alexander Filimonov
Russia
Ovseyan Andranis
Armenia
(absent)
Igor Shishkov
Uzbekistan
Roine Eklund
Sweden
(absent)
Sylvester Giuliay
Hungary
(absent)
Kathy Defeche
Belgium
Mr Joaquin Jaime
Spain
(absent)
Motti Benita
Israel
(absent)
David Tchalidze
Georgia
(absent)
Igor Mazurenko
Poland
Pavel Zhivora
Russia
(absent)
Valery Babuk
Belarus
Milan Capla
Slovakia
Marian Capla
Slovakia
Dimiter Dachiev
Bulgaria
Stanisasus Mednig
Latvia
(absent)
Mukan Agzamov
Kazakstan
Vladimir Drexler
Kazakhstan
Panteley Filikidi
Greece
Lithuania
(absent)
18
Countries represented
Neil Pickup
Discussed that in the meeting
yesterday we made some decisions, which were in contradiction to an
agreement signed before these championships between Assen Hadjitordrov and
Mr Gusov. Assen will explain the misunderstanding.
Assen Hadjitodorov
Yesterday we voted for unification
only. During the work between Assen and Mr Gusov as the presidents from both
sides they made the arrangements for this championships and also that the
new Executive Committee would be voted in Germany. We are only voting for
the number of persons on the Executive Committee not the positions.
We must vote for this.
To clarify the situation: If we were
to finish the election and to continue to elect the rest of the members of
the new Executive Committee as planned we would be breaking the agreement.
We must elect the new committee in
Germany.
Alexander Filimonov
Are we unified or not?
Neil Pickup
Yes from yesterday we were unified
and made a vote in favor of that. As the Congress was not aware of the
agreement. So maybe the decisions were incorrect.
The only point that was outside of
the agreement was the election of the Executive Committee. In this case
everything else stands.
If a new Executive Committee
is elected then Mr Gusov with revert to the same situation and there will
still be a split in the EAF.
Neil Pickup
If we stick to the agreement with Mr
Gusov there would be no election of the Executive Committee and we should honor
this.
In Germany there would be an
election of the new Executive Committee but until then we would stay unified
and work together.
Willy Deneumostier
Stated that from the previous
meeting all members were in agreement when voting for unification.
The only problem we have is that in
our statues that have been registered with the European Community we must
have 5-9 members on the Executive Committee or else we are breaking the law.
Therefore we must have 5-9 members on the board or else we will lose our
Official Registration and the right to use the name of EAF.
Neil Pickup
As this registration is in place we
should try to keep it and not break the rules if at all possible. We must
try to work smartly and protect the hard work that has been put in so far.
Kamil Kehale
If we take out the election and only
keep the vote for unification, we will still have a unified body.
Neil Pickup
The unified championships will be
held in Germany next year as all members agreed.
Assen Hadjitodorov
In Italy when we drafted the agenda
we agreed only to unify and discuss the number of members on the Executive
Committee, and we would elect the new Committee in Germany. These proposals
need to be very well though out, as we need to work the best in
armwrestling. If we are not ready then we might make mistakes. Yesterday we
elected the Head referee and the Director of Scoring for 2 years. I think we
have solved the problem if we only decide how many there will be on the
Executive Committee and this we should vote on today.
David Shead
If we have the election on the
number of people to be on the committee only then we will have one new
committee with 9 people, which will keep the registration legal and should
not break the agreement with Mr Gusov.
Willy Deneumostier
Stated that he was surprised that Mr
Gusov was not present at this second meeting when we are discussing the
unification and the future of our sport. The fact that if what one person
does not like the result that they can leave and create a new split.
There are two reasons why we need an
Executive Committee and I want to vote on this;
1)
We need someone with the authority and responsibility to give the
official authority to Petra Spatz and Germany to hold the 2003 Europeans. So
that Petra has the official documentation to take to the authorities and to
show that she will be the host for this championships.
2)
If we do not have an Executive Committee consisting of 5-9 persons we
will be breaking the statues of the EAF and we will no longer be recognized
by the European Community and will lose our registration.
The proposal is as follows;
At present we have 2 Executive
Committees that have been elected by their respective congresses. There are
6 persons on each;
Mr Gusov
Assen Hadjitodorov
Vladimir Petrenko
Kim Shoesmith
Marian Capla
Harri Naskali
Milan Svoboda
David Shead
Claudio Rizzo
(absent)
Willy Deneumostier
Mr Astitorov
(absent)
Federic Andre (absent)
This is a total of 12 persons, three
of these persons are not here in the Czech Republic which leaves us will 9
persons here and working in the Czech Republic. So these people should make
up the New Executive Committee. They will not be elected into a post just a
member of the Executive Committee. Then they can continue to work together
until Germany 2003. There should be one person as a co-coordinator and then
the election in Germany.
There are 28 countries here to
decide.
Michael the Russian translator was
asked if he was fully aware of what he was translating, he was.
Kamil Kahale
Explained that Mr Gusov had a
burglary in his house and had to return to Russia immediately.
Understands that the full
unification will be in Germany and it is very difficult to all get together
but easy to split up. If this happens then it will not be easy to get
together again. If a new Committee is elected then it is still easy for some
individuals to split away.
David Shead
No matter what agreement we come to
here people can still decide to go away from the agreement unfortunately
there is nothing we can do about this.
He asked Assen if we were to agree
to this proposal and have one big Executive Committee would it break the
agreement signed with Mr Gusov?
Assen Hadjitodorov
Said that it would break the
agreement.
His proposal is not to vote on the
Executive Committee today but for both Federations to work together until
Germany where the vote will take place. The votes from yesterday would
stand. With the remaining representatives from the committees working
together until Germany. Then unifying in Germany. Which would mean having 12
persons on the Executive Committee.
Pascal Girard
Thinks that whether it is this year
or next this is not so important. What is important is what is best for the
armwrestlers.
Alison Cox
Asked whether the vote taken for
Head referee and Scorer would stand with this proposal.
Marian Capla
Does not understand why we need to
vote today.
Various discussions about what
has happened in the past and who wanted to split again.
Eva Grossmanova
Reminded everyone that they should
be limited to 3 minutes to discuss their point and that we have a lot of
work to get through. The fact that members should take their time to vote
and do it in Germany when everyone has had time to think about who they want
to vote for.
20.50 A small break was taken
to allow members to discuss this point before voting.
Meeting reconvened at 21.10
Neil Pickup
Before the break you have heard both
proposals and now we are going to move swiftly and vote on those points
I am not going to reiterate the
points again. We have heard them enough. Can I have a show of hands for
Assen’s proposal.
David Shead
On something as complicated as this
he suggested that we hear the exact proposals as written in the minutes so
that we know that the minutes are going to correctly reflect what we are
voting for.
Neil Pickup
Proceeded straight to the vote.
A VOTE WAS TAKEN
Assen Hadjitorodov’s
proposal
8 votes for
Willy Deneumostier’s
proposal
9 votes for
1 abstain
Assen Hadjitodorov
Asked who would be the co-coordinator
within this Committee
All agreed that the 9 members on the
committee would nominate one person to act as the co-coordinator.
6. Weight Classes
Vladimir Petrenko
Proposes to keep them the same as
these championships.
Igor Shishkov
Proposes to add 2 additional weight
classes to the disabled classes. So there would be 0kg, 70kg, 80kg, 80+kg
Some discussion about weight
classes, the fact that for some years we have been trying to reduce the
amount of classes and that not enough competitors in the disabled and if we
vote to keep the same then we do not need to discuss any further.
VOTE TAKEN
To keep the same weight
classes as this year in the Czech Republic
13 votes for
3 votes against
2 Abstain
Willy Deneumostier
At this championships seniors could
not pull in the master’s classes will this stand for next year?
David Shead
This is not in the rules but was
part of the agreement for these championships. So would not be the case for
next year.
8.
The Next European Championships – The new Constitution
Willy
Deneumostier
Both the Constitutions are the same
so if the Executive Committee can check them both and let the members know
of any differences.
Vote all in favor of this
9.
Affiliation of new members – Malta
Assen Hadjitodorov
Explained that he had received an
official application for membership from Malta. They are due to hold their
national championships this year and have the support of their Sports
Ministry.
VOTE TAKEN
To accept Malta
18 votes for
11.
The Official Event Calendar
Eva
Grossmanova
Asked all members to give her the
details of their competitions for the rest of this year and next year, so
that she may prepare a calendar.
Willy Deneumostier
Pointed out that all this
information is already published on the website. He can give the address to
anybody who wants it.
Assen Hadjitodorov
Discussions regarding bids for the
2004/2005 European Championships.
Bids for 2004
Poland & Belgium
Vote Taken
9 votes for Poland
6 votes for Belgium
3 votes abstain
Therefore 2004 Europeans will be
held in Poland.
Bids for 2005
Bulgaria
Vote taken
17 votes for
1 vote abstain
Therefore 2005 Europeans will be
held in Bulgaria.
12.
PR Activities – Armpower magazine
Assen
Hadjitodorov
We must have an international
magazine and we must all support it and help with the distribution. We
currently have the Armpower magazine, which is currently published in
English/Russian and Polish, and you can find all the important information
from armwrestling. News and results from international competitions in
Europe.
Handed over to the editor Igor
Mazurenko.
Igor Mazurenko
He thanked those members for their
interest in the magazine; this is the 2nd time the magazine has
been published and fully at his own expense. He explained that it will be
published in a body building magazine and that 21,000 have been published
and the 2nd edition is due to be published shortly. The quality
of the 1st edition was not as good as he would have liked. Only
1000 have been distributed in the EAF community. So if all the Federations
work along with him then it can be translated into many other languages.
He thanked Petra Spatz for the
invitation to Germany to cover her competition and asked Neil Pickup for
information on his competition.
The championships from all over
Europe can be reported on. The Armpower magazine is becoming a leading
magazine.
The Bulgarian Muscle and Fitness
will be featuring armwrestling.
Vote taken to accept the
Armpower Magazine as the EAF’s official magazine
16 votes for
2 votes abstain
13.
The Official Directory
All members were asked to
provide Eva Grossmanova with their full contact details to make a directory
so that all members will receive all the information and we can all keep in
touch.
Meeting closed at 22.00
