Princess Haya has accounced her intention to stand for a third term as FEI president.
Overwhelming vote
Previous FEI statutes limited presidents to a maximum two, four-year terms. This looks set to change, following an overwhelming vote today(29 April)in favour of amending the law.
There had been concerns from some nations about Princess Haya’s presidency, due to the fact she is the junior wife ofSheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was implicated in a series of doping scandals last year.
However, 103 national federations voted in favour of prolonging the term, and just three voted against it.
Petition
Princess Haya previously stated she would not stand for re-election, despite attempts by FEI chairpersons and national federations to amend the statutes at the 2013 general assembly.
The proposed amendment was then removed from the agenda, but a petition signed by 100 national federations called for an ‘extraordinary general assembly’ (EGA).
As a result, the EGA was included in the two-day FEI sports forum in Lausanne, which started yesterday. Following the vote in favour of amending the statutes, Princess Haya said was “very honoured for the opportunity”.
Huge honour
“I always felt that when people are given a responsibility, given faith and given belief they are given an opportunity to do well in their lives and that’s what you’ve always given to me,” she said. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that, it’s a huge honour.”
While the princess confirmed her commitment to the FEI, she believes there will be other candidates, who should be “given the opportunity to come forward”.
Other possible contenders include Swiss businessman and former president of the Geneva CHI, Pierre Genecand – although his candidacy has yet to be officially declared.
The FEI presidential election will take place at the general assembly in December.