NEW WRL BOARD ELECTED
WORLD RUGBY LEAGUE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ELECTIONS
After two succesfull terms, the WRL Board has changed for (at least) the following two years. CARLOS VARELA was unanimusly elected as new President of WRL.
The General assembly, took place on a web platform and all country members participated. The majority of the Board members come from south America, while two of the old members were re-elected.
The Directors responsibilities may change without new general election procedure (BoD may decide). According to the WRL regulations, President, Secretary and Treasurer, can’t be elected for more than two continous terms at the same position.
Among other issues, the General Assembly decided the establishment of the new WRL headquarters in Mar de Playa, Argentina.
The full list of the Board is the following:
CARLOS VARELA – President
JAVIER NUNEZ CONTRERAS – Vice President
LUIS HERNAN LOPEZ CARVAJAL – Secretary General
GRACIELA PENINETTI – Treasurer
ANASTASIOS PANTAZIDIS – Development Director
EMMANOUIL MEREMETIS – Media Director – Players’ representative
DANIEL LUIS FIGUEROA – Membership Director
RICARDO CAMPETTA – Sponsoring Director
ALDO CESAR BUROTTO CERESO – 1st Substitute Director & Head of Medical Committee
MALENA GONZALEZ – 2nd Substitute Director
NATALIA VALENZUELA GUIOLIS - Confederation account reviewer
OMAR GONZALEZ - Confederation account substitute reviewer
PERLUIGI GENTILE – President of Rugby League Europe
MOHAMMAD AMJAD – Director of Rugby League Asia
After two succesfull terms, the WRL Board has changed for (at least) the following two years. CARLOS VARELA was unanimusly elected as new President of WRL.
The General assembly, took place on a web platform and all country members participated. The majority of the Board members come from south America, while two of the old members were re-elected.
The Directors responsibilities may change without new general election procedure (BoD may decide). According to the WRL regulations, President, Secretary and Treasurer, can’t be elected for more than two continous terms at the same position.
Among other issues, the General Assembly decided the establishment of the new WRL headquarters in Mar de Playa, Argentina.
The full list of the Board is the following:
CARLOS VARELA – President
JAVIER NUNEZ CONTRERAS – Vice President
LUIS HERNAN LOPEZ CARVAJAL – Secretary General
GRACIELA PENINETTI – Treasurer
ANASTASIOS PANTAZIDIS – Development Director
EMMANOUIL MEREMETIS – Media Director – Players’ representative
DANIEL LUIS FIGUEROA – Membership Director
RICARDO CAMPETTA – Sponsoring Director
ALDO CESAR BUROTTO CERESO – 1st Substitute Director & Head of Medical Committee
MALENA GONZALEZ – 2nd Substitute Director
NATALIA VALENZUELA GUIOLIS - Confederation account reviewer
OMAR GONZALEZ - Confederation account substitute reviewer
PERLUIGI GENTILE – President of Rugby League Europe
MOHAMMAD AMJAD – Director of Rugby League Asia
GRLA president, accepts Greek Modern Pentathlon authority over Rugby League - Enlisted his own club to the M.P. Federation as Rugby League and Modern Pentathlon Club.
Stilianos on Fb some months ago
Do you remember the voices and shouts from Greece? "Rugby League can't be under another sport", "We will never become part of Modern Pentathlon", "It is illegal for Modern Pentathlon to run Rugby League" ect ect.
Now forget about all these. George Stilianos, president of the Greek Rugby League Association and of Attica Rhinos club, enlisted his club in the Modern Pentathlon Federation and got recognition as Modern Pentathlon and Rugby League Club. Due to this decision they could possibly claim funds from the Government for "developing" two sports and get 3,500 euros for that.
It is proved now that after five years of lying about the real reason for the split of the sport in Greece, they had other motivations than the ones claimed back then. It is now proved that gaining money and power, caused the split of a large group of people in 2015. The split was supported by the RLEF in many ways.
During these five years, the main criticism against the ones who joined Modern Pentathlon in order to recognise the sport of Rugby League as independent from Rugby Union, was that "Rugby League couldn’t be under another sport". Reports in international media, articles in newspapers, tweets and posts on social media and many other reactions, were fighting Modern Pentathlon Federation for including Rugby League in their sports. But the real main reason was that they just wanted to change the leadership of the Federation and replace them with greek-aussies.
Now that the sport is without activity and the situation in the Modern Pentathlon Board is complicated (Police investigations and Court cases over accusations of stealing documents, violation of statutes, fake activity, forgery and corruption) the splitters took advantage and try to get control of the sport.
The situation is shockingly shameful and humiliating for those who organised it, those who supported it and those who implement it.
Now forget about all these. George Stilianos, president of the Greek Rugby League Association and of Attica Rhinos club, enlisted his club in the Modern Pentathlon Federation and got recognition as Modern Pentathlon and Rugby League Club. Due to this decision they could possibly claim funds from the Government for "developing" two sports and get 3,500 euros for that.
It is proved now that after five years of lying about the real reason for the split of the sport in Greece, they had other motivations than the ones claimed back then. It is now proved that gaining money and power, caused the split of a large group of people in 2015. The split was supported by the RLEF in many ways.
During these five years, the main criticism against the ones who joined Modern Pentathlon in order to recognise the sport of Rugby League as independent from Rugby Union, was that "Rugby League couldn’t be under another sport". Reports in international media, articles in newspapers, tweets and posts on social media and many other reactions, were fighting Modern Pentathlon Federation for including Rugby League in their sports. But the real main reason was that they just wanted to change the leadership of the Federation and replace them with greek-aussies.
Now that the sport is without activity and the situation in the Modern Pentathlon Board is complicated (Police investigations and Court cases over accusations of stealing documents, violation of statutes, fake activity, forgery and corruption) the splitters took advantage and try to get control of the sport.
The situation is shockingly shameful and humiliating for those who organised it, those who supported it and those who implement it.
WORLD RUGBY LEAGUE 2020 CONGRESS NOMINATIONS
2020 WORLD RUGBY LEAGUE WEB CONGRESS
AGENDA
NOMINATIONS
8 from Argentina
6 from Chile
4 from Greece
1 from Italy
1 from Pakistan
Note for the elections:
All elected for a term of 2 years.
President, Secretary General and Treasurer can’t be elected in these positions for a third continuous term.
Every member has one vote.
Only legal representatives can vote. No member can assign someone else to vote instead.
AGENDA
- Administrative Report
- Financial Report
- Amendment of Statute
- Headquarters
- Elections for Board of Directors, Audit Committee and Ethics & Disciplinary Committee
NOMINATIONS
8 from Argentina
6 from Chile
4 from Greece
1 from Italy
1 from Pakistan
Note for the elections:
All elected for a term of 2 years.
President, Secretary General and Treasurer can’t be elected in these positions for a third continuous term.
Every member has one vote.
Only legal representatives can vote. No member can assign someone else to vote instead.
ARGENTINA RUGBY LEAGUE & WORLDRUGBYLEAGUE AMERICA, DEVELOP YOUTH SPORTS
The Sports Village in Miramar, Argentina, was inaugurated in early December 2020. “Villa Deportiva Miramar” aims to integrate local youth in sports, through participation in various sports programs. “World Rugby League” has put the program under its auspices. Rugby League Argentina (ACPADR XIII) is the co-administrator, together with WRL Americas. Rugby League, Touch RL and Tag RL shall occupy a large part of the program. The Sports Village is supervised and coordinated by Carlos Varela, who is the Director of the WRL for the American continent.
We wish to all involved, a big success.
We wish to all involved, a big success.
|
|
FEDERACION NACIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE CHILE, JOINS WRL
April 4, 2020
The WRL Board of Directors, at our today's tele-meeting, decided to accept the membership application of FNRL CHILE.
The detailed documentation and projects they submitted to us, together with all the legislation documents of the Federation and Clubs, were evaluated as a serious indication of the future development of Rugby League in the country.
We welcome Chile and hope for close cooperation with WRL and the other countries of the region.
The WRL Board of Directors, at our today's tele-meeting, decided to accept the membership application of FNRL CHILE.
The detailed documentation and projects they submitted to us, together with all the legislation documents of the Federation and Clubs, were evaluated as a serious indication of the future development of Rugby League in the country.
We welcome Chile and hope for close cooperation with WRL and the other countries of the region.
ARGENTINA ADOPTS TEMPORARY RULES' CHANGES, DUE TO COVID19
18/3/2020
Hello everyone,
On the second day of quarantine, criteriously, decreed by our rulers, I got to work on how our sport could be resume after a break like this and without knowing what physical conditions we will find ourselves when we return.
Not knowing when COVID 19 is cancelled strictly, and if sports activity resumed, it is advisable that some modifications apply in our beloved rugby XIII.
To all the Institutions that practice rugby (XIII or XV) and that have asked us for the rules and tutorials of the game, we inform you that from enabling sports practice again:
A) SCRUM action is suspended, both in the XIII and IX modality.
B) Failing after a pass forward or bounce in the hands and fall of the ball
to the ground the game will be resumed through a heel made by the non-offender team.
C) TACONEO, a non-offender team player places the ball on the floor and with one foot
spins, with the plant of his foot, the ball backwards (its side), which will be taken by
a partner who will open the game.
D) This action replaces the SCRUM, but the rule away will be maintained
adopt the defense, in XIII 10 meters behind the heel site and in IX 4 meters.
E) This SUSPENSION affects all the divisions (greater, youth and children) of our
modality.
This modification or suspension aims to cancel the close closeness that occurs between players in a Scrum and we keep the slogan of "take care of not taking care of others".
Before any questions about this change please send an email and soon we will respond.
Thank you very much
Carlos Varela
President
ACPADR XIII
Hello everyone,
On the second day of quarantine, criteriously, decreed by our rulers, I got to work on how our sport could be resume after a break like this and without knowing what physical conditions we will find ourselves when we return.
Not knowing when COVID 19 is cancelled strictly, and if sports activity resumed, it is advisable that some modifications apply in our beloved rugby XIII.
To all the Institutions that practice rugby (XIII or XV) and that have asked us for the rules and tutorials of the game, we inform you that from enabling sports practice again:
A) SCRUM action is suspended, both in the XIII and IX modality.
B) Failing after a pass forward or bounce in the hands and fall of the ball
to the ground the game will be resumed through a heel made by the non-offender team.
C) TACONEO, a non-offender team player places the ball on the floor and with one foot
spins, with the plant of his foot, the ball backwards (its side), which will be taken by
a partner who will open the game.
D) This action replaces the SCRUM, but the rule away will be maintained
adopt the defense, in XIII 10 meters behind the heel site and in IX 4 meters.
E) This SUSPENSION affects all the divisions (greater, youth and children) of our
modality.
This modification or suspension aims to cancel the close closeness that occurs between players in a Scrum and we keep the slogan of "take care of not taking care of others".
Before any questions about this change please send an email and soon we will respond.
Thank you very much
Carlos Varela
President
ACPADR XIII
ARGENTINA JOINS WRL
28/8/2019
WRL welcomes Argentina Rugby League on board.
The WRL Board accepted the application submited by Argentina Rugby League.
We plan to send a representation of the Confederation to the country soon.
In 2020 Italy will visit Argentina for an international match.
WRL welcomes Argentina Rugby League on board.
The WRL Board accepted the application submited by Argentina Rugby League.
We plan to send a representation of the Confederation to the country soon.
In 2020 Italy will visit Argentina for an international match.
BOARD STATEMENT
August 23,2019
After the recent statements of other IFs, the WRL has to make clear the following:
- WRL is not a rival Organisation to any other IF.
- WRL application to GAISF/SportAccord had as main aim to strengthen the recognition of Rugby League as a different sport.
- The only legal and recognised by their "National Highest Sporting Authorities" Rugby League organisations in Italy and Greece, are the "LIRFL" (CONI) and the "RL Committee of the HFMP" (Ministry of Culture and Sports).
- WRL is not "guided", influenced or "controled" by any other IF or any other Organisation.
- WRL does not consider Rugby Union, Tag, Touch, American Football or any other sport as enemies or rivals. We are all parts of the international sports' community and we must cooperate for the benefit of the Athletes.
- WRL is against any "ad hominem" attack towards any individual, regarding IFs policies.
NEW WRL HEADQUARTERS
|
After the April 2019 meeting of the Board of Directors, the WRL decided to move its headquarters to Islamabad Pakistan, in order to help the development of the sport in Asia.
|
Board of Directors elected in 2018 World Rugby League Congress
|
|
|
|
|
New members, more international matches in 2019
WRL plan to organise more internationals in 2019, as new countries applied for joining us. "We need more matches, as our sport has to become global. Rugby League should be played everywere" said the WRL Secretary General. During the 2018 Congress, the agenda included the expancion in Asia, where four countries could form a Continental Cup. The WRL vice-president commented: "There are many people interested in the sport in Asia. We have to help them get organised and play domestic and international matches. We have been connected with institutions in the region and we expect further development".
The majority of the Members were re-elected as their term is considered as successful. The Congress was the first after the initial procedure that took place in Florence and Athens, two years ago. The directors were proposed and elected by the Members’ delegates in a democratic procedure, following the WRL provisions.
"A warm welcome to all new members. We shall live great moments in 2019". WRL President, stated.
The majority of the Members were re-elected as their term is considered as successful. The Congress was the first after the initial procedure that took place in Florence and Athens, two years ago. The directors were proposed and elected by the Members’ delegates in a democratic procedure, following the WRL provisions.
"A warm welcome to all new members. We shall live great moments in 2019". WRL President, stated.
|
|
|
Development Committee, meets in Athens
The W.R.L. Development Committee met in Athens at Aplil 5, 2018, in odrer to organise the next steps of the Confederation.
The President informed the Committee about applications from new countries and about communication with international Organisations. ViceChair presented the plan for the Asian expansion and Secretary informed about meetings and directions with the Olympic Committee and other organisations. Development Manager took the responcibility of rules updates.
The Committee organised also the next Board Meeting.
The President informed the Committee about applications from new countries and about communication with international Organisations. ViceChair presented the plan for the Asian expansion and Secretary informed about meetings and directions with the Olympic Committee and other organisations. Development Manager took the responcibility of rules updates.
The Committee organised also the next Board Meeting.
Government of Pakistan Supports "Pakistan Rugby League"
|
Discussions about RL 9's International Cup
Pierluigi Gentile, President of Lega Italia Rugby Football League in deep discussion with Kashif Khwaja, Captain of Pakistan Rugby League about World Rugby League’s planned World 9 aside event.
|
Statement from the Italian Ambassador at Islamabad
We received from the ambassador in Pakistan Stefano Pontecorvo and gladly publish
Pierluigi Gentile commented:
Un ringraziamento particolare al console Italiano in Pakistan STEFANO PONTECORVO, che si è prodigato con tanto altruismo e solidarietà per aiutare con la sua presenza l'integrazione tra due nazionali di rugby League, quella Pakistana e Italiana Oltremodo per la cena di gala offerta alle due Nazionali nel consolato Italiano. Grazie per averci dato sostegno. Persone come lei onorano la patria di appartenenza.
Ikram Butt commented:
Excellent response to those who have been misled by the RLIF / RLEF / RLF and the Australian Italian set up all these years by his Excellency, Stefano Pontecorvo, the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan. On the contrary to what they say, Lega Italia Rugby Football League is the only Rugby League national team recognised by the Italian Sports governing body, Lega helped Pakistan to create history when the two great nations played at the World Famous Jinnah Stadium for the Tariq Niazi Trophy.
Un ringraziamento particolare al console Italiano in Pakistan STEFANO PONTECORVO, che si è prodigato con tanto altruismo e solidarietà per aiutare con la sua presenza l'integrazione tra due nazionali di rugby League, quella Pakistana e Italiana Oltremodo per la cena di gala offerta alle due Nazionali nel consolato Italiano. Grazie per averci dato sostegno. Persone come lei onorano la patria di appartenenza.
Ikram Butt commented:
Excellent response to those who have been misled by the RLIF / RLEF / RLF and the Australian Italian set up all these years by his Excellency, Stefano Pontecorvo, the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan. On the contrary to what they say, Lega Italia Rugby Football League is the only Rugby League national team recognised by the Italian Sports governing body, Lega helped Pakistan to create history when the two great nations played at the World Famous Jinnah Stadium for the Tariq Niazi Trophy.
Press Conference in Islamabad, Pakistan
Nov.16, 2017
Excellent press conference which was really well organised by the Pakistan RL as they host Lega Italia Rugby Foootball League in this weekends historic game for the Tariq Niazi Trophy.
Chair of Pakistan Rugby League, Fareed Khan, President of Lega Italia, Pierluigi Gentile and Ikram Butt, president of BARA.
Excellent press conference which was really well organised by the Pakistan RL as they host Lega Italia Rugby Foootball League in this weekends historic game for the Tariq Niazi Trophy.
Chair of Pakistan Rugby League, Fareed Khan, President of Lega Italia, Pierluigi Gentile and Ikram Butt, president of BARA.
WORLD RUGBY LEAGUE ORGANIZATION POSE THE QUESTIONS
Press Release 9/7/2017.
The current growth strategies of international Rugby League have been bought into question by the formation of a fledgling global federation dedicated to promoting debate about the future of the 13-a-side code.
The World Rugby League, started in 2016 by representatives of the sport from Greece, Italy, Pakistan, UK, Argentina, Brasil and more, recently presented its credentials to the Switzerland-based SportAccord/GAISF (Global Association of International Sport Federations).
Recently appointed WRL President and head of Rugby League in Greece Tasos Pantazidis commented: “The globalization of Rugby League, has always been one of the most crucial institutional issues about our great sport.
“New and emerging nations taking up the sport are increasingly calling for serious steps forward in the recognition of Rugby League from International Organizations like SportAccord and the International Olympic Committee. The WRL is a platform for that debate.
“A growing number of national Rugby League governing bodies, fully recognised by their own individual national sporting authorities, have opted to align themselves with the WRL due to our approach to the development and growth of the sport.
“We were invited by SportAccord for talks about the recognition procedure and the feedback so far has been outstanding. Unfortunately no such dialogue is taking place with the other established international Rugby League body (RLIF) and this will affect the integrity of our sport going forward,” added Tasos, one of three key players on the WRL board together with Secretary General Pierluigi Gentile from Italy and Vice President Ikram Butt, the first Muslim to play international Rugby League for England as well as being a Pakistan rugby union international.
Tasos went on: “Rugby League deserves to be recognized and a new vision about the future of the sport is now clear.
“The first key factor is the rivalry issue. We believe Rugby League representatives have to find common ground with rugby union. We fully understand the controversial nature of this strategy but it makes complete sense on so many levels. It is the ‘elephant in the room’ that stands in the way of real growth and development of Rugby League.
“We cannot turn back the clock to the 1890s. We must deal with the current context and many of our sport’s governing bodies are finding barriers in their way due to existing allegiances adopted by other League governing bodies.
“The second big issue is that we need to understand that the current approach of putting some names and flags on the map is not the way forward. This is a short sighted and shallow platform for growth that is alienating many within our sport.
“SportAccord / GAISF calls for national governing bodies (NGBs) to be recognized by their own national Highest Sports Authorities (Olympic Committees or Ministry).
“There are numerous cases where groups of people claim that they have Federations or Associations but in practice, they are not recognized by anyone.
“In these cases people have to understand that recognition by the National Highest Sporting Authorities is the most important issue. In order to be recognized Rugby League must have 40 recognized NGBs and we all know that it hasn’t.
“In conclusion the WRL realize that co-operation and the strengthening of the domestic game are the most important factors in the future of our sport.
“We must follow the examples set by the most popular sports internationally and copy their practices of equality, fairness, justice and expansion. Rugby League cannot be allowed to exist in sporting isolation, cut off from valuable resources and organisations.
“We need the debate to happen with all parties and believe the WRL is a good vehicle to achieve that, ” concluded Tasos.
The current growth strategies of international Rugby League have been bought into question by the formation of a fledgling global federation dedicated to promoting debate about the future of the 13-a-side code.
The World Rugby League, started in 2016 by representatives of the sport from Greece, Italy, Pakistan, UK, Argentina, Brasil and more, recently presented its credentials to the Switzerland-based SportAccord/GAISF (Global Association of International Sport Federations).
Recently appointed WRL President and head of Rugby League in Greece Tasos Pantazidis commented: “The globalization of Rugby League, has always been one of the most crucial institutional issues about our great sport.
“New and emerging nations taking up the sport are increasingly calling for serious steps forward in the recognition of Rugby League from International Organizations like SportAccord and the International Olympic Committee. The WRL is a platform for that debate.
“A growing number of national Rugby League governing bodies, fully recognised by their own individual national sporting authorities, have opted to align themselves with the WRL due to our approach to the development and growth of the sport.
“We were invited by SportAccord for talks about the recognition procedure and the feedback so far has been outstanding. Unfortunately no such dialogue is taking place with the other established international Rugby League body (RLIF) and this will affect the integrity of our sport going forward,” added Tasos, one of three key players on the WRL board together with Secretary General Pierluigi Gentile from Italy and Vice President Ikram Butt, the first Muslim to play international Rugby League for England as well as being a Pakistan rugby union international.
Tasos went on: “Rugby League deserves to be recognized and a new vision about the future of the sport is now clear.
“The first key factor is the rivalry issue. We believe Rugby League representatives have to find common ground with rugby union. We fully understand the controversial nature of this strategy but it makes complete sense on so many levels. It is the ‘elephant in the room’ that stands in the way of real growth and development of Rugby League.
“We cannot turn back the clock to the 1890s. We must deal with the current context and many of our sport’s governing bodies are finding barriers in their way due to existing allegiances adopted by other League governing bodies.
“The second big issue is that we need to understand that the current approach of putting some names and flags on the map is not the way forward. This is a short sighted and shallow platform for growth that is alienating many within our sport.
“SportAccord / GAISF calls for national governing bodies (NGBs) to be recognized by their own national Highest Sports Authorities (Olympic Committees or Ministry).
“There are numerous cases where groups of people claim that they have Federations or Associations but in practice, they are not recognized by anyone.
“In these cases people have to understand that recognition by the National Highest Sporting Authorities is the most important issue. In order to be recognized Rugby League must have 40 recognized NGBs and we all know that it hasn’t.
“In conclusion the WRL realize that co-operation and the strengthening of the domestic game are the most important factors in the future of our sport.
“We must follow the examples set by the most popular sports internationally and copy their practices of equality, fairness, justice and expansion. Rugby League cannot be allowed to exist in sporting isolation, cut off from valuable resources and organisations.
“We need the debate to happen with all parties and believe the WRL is a good vehicle to achieve that, ” concluded Tasos.
IMPORTANT MEETING WITH SPORTACCORD / GAISF IN LAUSANNE
The delegation of the World Rugby League World Rugby League, the World Rugby League In Lausanne, Switzerland.
The delagation, consisted of the President of the HFMoP, Tasos Pantazidis, Ikram Butt (Legend of the English Rugby League and President of BARA) and the President of the Italian Liga, Mr. Piruluji Gentile, met with leaders of the World Confederation of World Sports Federations (GAISF / SportAccord) , following an invitation by President Bowman and the Council.
A workshop was held in Lausanne on applicants for recognition from the World Organization. The presentation was attended by representatives of WRL along with representatives of other world Federations who have applied for recognition. In the process the chair of WRL participated with questions to GAISF , clarifying issues that are part of our sport.
The workshop followed the next day's one-to-one meeting of the Commission examining new members' requests with applicants (including WRLs) where information was exchanged and the recognition process discussed.
The International Rugby League has been trying for several years to be recognized without success. This unfortunately places our sport on the same footing as other non-recognized international sports. The WRL was found to reinforce the international recognition effort and is pleased with the process and meetings, expressing moderate optimism for the follow-up.
The most important points that have emerged are the two of the first stage for recognition.
The first is the absence or the existence of a dispute over the autonomy of the sport with another recognized federation. Rugby League has been in a constant confrontation for over 100 years with Rugby Union, which is recognized by GAISF and opposes it. WRL representatives believe that the sport does not fit in this type of rivalry and we need to take another kind of "non-war" approach from our side.
The second important step is the existence of forty (40) National Federations recognized by the National Olympic Committees or the Highest Sports' Authority of every country. Unfortunately, no international Federation of Rugby League has achieved this goal up to now. On the contrary, there are people claiming in different countries that they represent the sport although they have no recognition in their countries. For example, in Italy, LIRFL is recognized by the Olympic Committee of Italy, while in Greece HFMoP is recognized for Rugby League by the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Both cases are acceptable to GAISF. Unfortunately, however, in both countries as an example, other legal entities also operate, without the recognition GAISF asks for, and they create confusion in the sport. This is something that must be perceived by everyone and everyone has to meet the demands of the process.
The Bureau of the WRL expresses its optimism about the follow-up and has already sent letters to international bodies of our sport so that all those who are truly interested can accept the hand of friendship and cooperation for the good of the sport.
The delagation, consisted of the President of the HFMoP, Tasos Pantazidis, Ikram Butt (Legend of the English Rugby League and President of BARA) and the President of the Italian Liga, Mr. Piruluji Gentile, met with leaders of the World Confederation of World Sports Federations (GAISF / SportAccord) , following an invitation by President Bowman and the Council.
A workshop was held in Lausanne on applicants for recognition from the World Organization. The presentation was attended by representatives of WRL along with representatives of other world Federations who have applied for recognition. In the process the chair of WRL participated with questions to GAISF , clarifying issues that are part of our sport.
The workshop followed the next day's one-to-one meeting of the Commission examining new members' requests with applicants (including WRLs) where information was exchanged and the recognition process discussed.
The International Rugby League has been trying for several years to be recognized without success. This unfortunately places our sport on the same footing as other non-recognized international sports. The WRL was found to reinforce the international recognition effort and is pleased with the process and meetings, expressing moderate optimism for the follow-up.
The most important points that have emerged are the two of the first stage for recognition.
The first is the absence or the existence of a dispute over the autonomy of the sport with another recognized federation. Rugby League has been in a constant confrontation for over 100 years with Rugby Union, which is recognized by GAISF and opposes it. WRL representatives believe that the sport does not fit in this type of rivalry and we need to take another kind of "non-war" approach from our side.
The second important step is the existence of forty (40) National Federations recognized by the National Olympic Committees or the Highest Sports' Authority of every country. Unfortunately, no international Federation of Rugby League has achieved this goal up to now. On the contrary, there are people claiming in different countries that they represent the sport although they have no recognition in their countries. For example, in Italy, LIRFL is recognized by the Olympic Committee of Italy, while in Greece HFMoP is recognized for Rugby League by the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Both cases are acceptable to GAISF. Unfortunately, however, in both countries as an example, other legal entities also operate, without the recognition GAISF asks for, and they create confusion in the sport. This is something that must be perceived by everyone and everyone has to meet the demands of the process.
The Bureau of the WRL expresses its optimism about the follow-up and has already sent letters to international bodies of our sport so that all those who are truly interested can accept the hand of friendship and cooperation for the good of the sport.
|
|
|
