REGIONAL GAMES COMMITTEE A meeting was held at 10.00-13.30 hours on Tuesday 13 November 2001 at the Hotel Altis, Rua Castilho 11, P-1250 Lisbon, Portugal. Present Teresa Lara Anzola Chairman Ajay Balram Vice Chairman Robin Aisher Alain Alcindor Hector Duval Tullio Giraldi Pall Hreinsson Richard Jeffries Husnu Levent Jang-Yang Moon W Scott Perry Ross Robson Totos Theodossiou Fernando Bolin Apologies were received from Esperanza Perez Crespo Johan Ariff was not present. Prior to commencing the meeting, it was noted that Committee had an informal meeting earlier in the week, at which many issues had been discussed. 1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The Committee noted the minutes of the previous meeting of 7 November 2000 and that there were no matters arising not otherwise covered on the Agenda. 2. REPORTS FROM REGIONAL GAMES Reports were received around the table on the following events: (a) 2001 Regional Games Mediterranean Games, Tunis, Tunisia 2-15 July 2001 A report from the Technical Delegate, Michel Barbier (FRA), was received. It was noted that the event was very successful, with 72 entries from 11 countries in the 6 events: double-handed men - 470 double-handed women - 470 singlehanded men - Laser single-handed women - Laser Radial 1
boards men - Mistral One-Design boards women - Mistral One-Design A report from the ISAF Attache, Totos Theodossiou (CYP), was also received. South East Asian (SEA) Games, Port Dickson, Malaysia 8-17 September 2001 A report from the Technical Delegate, Teo Ping Low (SIN), was received. It was noted that 93 sailors from 6 countries participated, with each country entitled to one entry for each of the nine events. singlehanded boys and girls - Optimist team racing - Optimist single-handed women - Laser Radial single-handed men - Laser double-handed boys - 420 double-handed girls - 420 double-handed men - 470 double-handed women - 470 double-handed open - Laser II boards heavy - Mistral One Design boards light men - Mistral One Design boards light women - Mistral One Design It was noted that the event had been extremely successful, and the participating nations - INA, MAS, MYA, PHI, SIN, THA - had met and resolved to ensure that sailing would be included in the next SEA Games in Thailand and in the future. A report from the Chief Measurer, Barry Johnson (AUS), on measurement was also noted. (b) 2002 Regional Games South American Games, Colombia, Bogota It was noted that the event had been cancelled due to the current economic situation in Argentina and would now be held in Colombia, Bogota. 14 th Asian Games, Pusan, Korea 29 September - 14 October 2002 The Committee received a report from the ISAF Technical Delegate, Hal Wagstaff, who advised that a very successful preevent had been held in 2001 at the same venue as for 2002. It was noted that the Technical Delegate had requested that a Race Management Seminar be held between April-June 2002 2
and that the ISAF Race Management Sub-Committee would process the request. (iii) 2002 University Sailing Championships Hungary Husnu Levent advised that further information was awaited regarding the inclusion of sailing and he would keep ISAF informed. (iv) XIX Central American and Caribbean Games 19 November - 1 December 2002, Mexico Hector Duval reported that the Games would be held at the same venue as used in 1990, and will be a qualifying event for the 2003 Pan-American Games. It was noted that Henry Figueroa (PUR) would be the Technical Delegate. It was noted that emphasis should be placed on the female participation for the female events. (c) 2003 Regional Games Commonwealth Sailing Championship It was noted that sailing would not be included within the 2003 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Great Britain. However, a representative from Sail Melbourne, Kevin Wood, advised that Sail Melbourne had been awarded the right by the Commonwealth Games Federation to host a Commonwealth Sailing Championship in 2003. It was noted that if the event could demonstrate the necessary participation it would hopefully be the predecessor to including sailing within future Commonwealth Games and at least as a demonstration event in 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. It was noted that a lot of Commonwealth countries do not have MNA's and further effort should be made to encourage countries to become ISAF members. Further that ISAF should assist Sail Melbourne in contacting the Commonwealth countries to encourage participation. Kevin Wood advised that a coaching seminar would take place for two days prior to the Championship It was noted that ISAF supported the inclusion of sailing in the Commonwealth Games and endorsed the efforts being made by Sail Melbourne in hosting the first Commonwealth Sailing Championship. 3
Teo Ping Low advised that Singapore was bidding to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and if successful sailing would definitely be included on the sports programme. Decision The Regional Games Committee unanimously gave their support to the inclusion of sailing within the Commonwealth Games and support for the 2003 Commonwealth Sailing Championship. Pan-Arab Games, Algeria 1-15 September 2003 A representative from Algeria was attending the meeting as an observer and advised that sailing would be included with events for the Optimist, Laser, Mistral and possibly 470. He also advised that Algeria would be hosting an Optimist Championship 26 June to 2 July 2002 and hoped to host the 1 st African Mistral Championship 26 August - 2 September 2002. (iii) Pan-American Games, Dominican Republic 2-10 August 2003 Hector Duval, the Sports Director for the Games, gave a visual and verbal presentation on arrangements for the event which would be held from 2-10 August 2003, with the village open in advance. Rich Jeffries advised that the qualification system for the nine class regatta had been prepared based on the ISAF Olympic qualification system. The classes being used had been asked to supply equipment in order to make participation as easy as possible, and it was hoped that this example could be followed in the future. (iv) VI Games of the Indian Ocean Islands, Mauritius 2-11 September 2003 Alain Alcindor reported that the dates of the games had been changed and would now be held in September, not August. It was noted that a games village was being built for subsequent sale to locals. Equipment would be provided with events for Laser Open, Mistral Men heavy, Men light and Women. (V) South Pacific Games, Fiji No report was available. 4
(d) 2005 Regional Games 4 th East Asian Games, Macao It was noted that the East Asian Games would be held in Macao, which is within the territory of China, and that Jan Yeong Moon would encourage the organisers to include sailing. 2005 Universiade, Izmir, Turkey July Husnu Levent advised that it is planned that sailing will be included in the event, and that ISAF should encourage sailing's inclusion in all future Universiades. (iii) XV Mediterranean Games, Almeria, Spain It was noted that sailing should be included in this event. (iv) African Games, Algeria It was noted that the games would be held in Algeria and that sailing would be included. (e) 2006 Games Asian Games, Doha, Qatar 8-22 December 2006 It was noted that sailing should be included in the event. Central American and Caribbean Games, Colombia It was noted that the venue for this event had changed from Santa Domingo to Colombia It was noted that there are sailors from countries who wish to participate in Regional Games, but are not entitled to because their MNA has not paid their ISAF Subscription, and why should the sailors suffer. The Committee noted that for all countries with outstanding subscriptions, ISAF makes every effort to contact the MNA and remind them of non-payment and the consequences, but because the MNA is a small club or run on a voluntary basis, it can be difficult to make contact with the relevant person. Attention was also drawn to the fact that for some countries even the lowest ISAF subscription category is a considerable amount, and where currencies suffer from devaluation, can make it impossible to pay. ISAF should take these issues into consideration before suspending or cancelling membership, otherwise the actions will only be detrimental to the development of the sport. Attention was drawn to the Associate Membership provided by ISAF, with a nominal subscription and countries could apply for this level. It was strongly felt that this issue should be addressed with Council. 5
It was noted that the lower subscription categories for ISAF MNA's would not increase for 2002, and the Secretary General put forward his opinion that to further support sailing and appreciating currency fluctuations certain countries should be able to become full members on an annual subscription of 50, but that a submission would be needed to this effect for such a change to be introduced. It was also noted that in the past Regional Games had been held in countries that were not ISAF Members, and that every effort must be made to encourage such countries to become members. The role of the appointed Regional Games Committee members in developing the relationship with the Regional Games Organising Committees in their regions and advising the support required from ISAF was emphasised, alongside the importance of feeding back information with ISAF. 3. STATUS OF SAILING IN REGIONAL GAMES The Committee noted those forthcoming Regional Games that either do not currently include sailing or where sailing is yet to be confirmed on the sports programme and were encouraged to lobby for sailing's inclusion and seek ISAF's support as necessary. 4. ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN REGIONAL GAMES The Committee noted the bodies involved in Regional Games, and respective responsibilities, and particularly the following in respect of ISAF ISAF Technical Delegate - if it is determined such a person is required ISAF shall appoint a Technical Delegate. It was noted that the Organizing Committee and/or Regional Games Committee may recommend a suitable person, with the Executive Committee responsible for the final appointment. International Jury - ISAF shall approve the International Jury for the Organizing Committee to appoint Entries - Only sailors from ISAF Member National Authorities are eligible to participate and such MNA's must be in good standing with ISAF for their sailors to participate The Vice-Chairman advised that whilst an International Jury is recommended there is no requirement to have one. However, if there is no International Jury the Organising Committee should make every effort to ensure that there are some International Judges on the Jury. 5. APPOINTMENT OF ISAF TECHNICAL DELEGATES TO REGIONAL GAMES It was noted that the ISAF Technical Delegate, in conjunction with the respective Regional Games committee member should act as the liaison between the Regional Games Organising Committee and ISAF. In this respect, such persons would be charged with assessing support required from ISAF and advise ISAF of such needs. 6
Such support from ISAF can include pre-event visits to provide training and expertise and the funding of the appointed Technical Delegate's travel, although normally his/her subsistence and accommodation would be covered by the organising authority. Further funding could be sought via the Race Officials Training programme to run a race management seminar, or similar. 6. ISAF TECHNICAL DELEGTATES It was suggested that guidance notes should be prepared for ISAF Technical Delegates to assist in defining their role. A working party of Alain Alcindor, Totos Theodossiou and Tullio Giraldi agreed to undertake the task of preparing draft notes which would be sent to the Race Officials Committee Chairman for comment, prior to publication. The Chairman reported that she felt it important that the ISAF appointed Technical Delegate should be a qualified ISAF Race Official, and that if a person was being proposed who was not so qualified then ISAF should endeavour to ensure they become qualified by the time of the specific Regional Games. 7. ISAF ATTACHE The Committee noted the role of the ISAF Attache as defined by the ISAF Executive Committee. 8. GRADING OF REGIONAL GAMES The current grading of Regional Games was noted, and it was agreed that this should remain as follows: Group 1 Regional Games Regional Games in which participants are from countries representing large geographic areas. These Regional Games could, eventually, become Olympic qualifiers for sailing events. For example; Pan-American Games Group 2 Regional Games Regional Games which involve a smaller number of countries already covered by an A Group Regional Game. For example; South American Games, Central American Games Group 3 Regional Games Those games in which the participants are restricted to a specific group of individuals irrespective of their national origin. For example; Universiade, Summer World Games for the Deaf 7
9. DRAFT REPORTING FORMS FOR REGIONAL GAMES The Committee received the draft reporting forms, as prepared by Alain Alcindor, and reviewed by the Chairman of the Race Management Sub- Committee, Michel Barbier. It was noted that the forms would be updated to include details of the number of male and female participants and to remove reference to competitors commenting on the International Jury. The ISAF Technical Delegate would be requested to ensure the forms were completed as much as possible for each Regional Games and submitted to ISAF, who would distribute to the relevant members of the ISAF Regional Games Committee. 10. AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP TO REGIONAL GAMES ORGANISATIONS It was noted that the affiliate membership which ISAF could offer to Regional Games organisations, whilst having been agreed in principle by Council, was still being considered in terms of the definition of such a relationship by the respective Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Regional Games Committee and Constitution Committee. It was agreed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman would progress with the Constitution Committee over the coming three months in order that a proposal could be made. 11. 2002 BUDGET The Committee noted the 2002 budget of 7,500 that had been approved by the Executive Committee. The Committee noted that as ISAF is responsible for the technical aspects of Regional Games, in March 1998, the Executive Committee had approved that a contingency fund be made available to cover the attendance of the appointed ISAF Technical Delegate to Regional Games, as necessary for pre- Regional Games preparatory meetings and the actual Regional Games, if the Organizing Committee is unable to meet such costs. It was also noted that funding could be requested from ISAF to cover training requirements. 2002 South American Games, Bogota, Colombia 1,500 2002 XIX Central American and Caribbean Games 1,500 2003 Pan-Arab Games, Algeria (preparatory) 1,500 2003 Pan-American Games, Dominican Republic 1,500 2003 Games of the Indian Ocean Islands, Mauritius 1,500 The Regional Games committee members were asked to ensure they provide input and make budget requests to the ISAF Secretariat at the latest by 1 August each year, in order that the necessary budget request can be submitted to the ISAF Executive Committee. 8
12. ANNUAL REPORT The Chairman advised that she would prepare the Regional Games Committee's report for 2001 and submit to the ISAF Secretariat. 13. RECOMMENDATIONS There were no recommendations to Council. 14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (a) 2002 ISAF World Sailing Games, Marseille, France Vice-President Fernando Bolin reported that ISAF would be holding the 2002 World Sailing Games, Marseille, France and that ISAF would provide funding to enable emerging sailing countries to attend and participate in training prior to the Championship. There being no further business the meeting was closed. 9