Monday, August 26, 2019

A SMASHING SUCCESS IN TRIVANDRUM

By Tony Mariadass who was recently in Trivandrum, Kerala

The Yogendran and Sugita show in Trivandrum

Former national badminton players, husband and wife team of K. Yogendran and K. Sugita are making waves in Trivandrum, Kerala with their Yogendran International Badminton Academy (YIBA) set up last November.

YIBA is the latest addition to Sports Hub Academy training partnership network in Trivandrum. The key objective of the academy is to develop badminton in Kerala and India at large with the support of the Kerala Badminton Association.

It is the first of its kind international academy focused on high performance badminton coaching.

Nestled inside the 34-acre world-class campus of Greenfield International stadium in Karyavattom (Trivandrum, Kerala), the facilities offered includes 16 well-lit courts with gym, Olympic size swimming pool facilities, squash courts, basketball courts along with hostel, food, nutrition guide and physiotherapy facilities.

The Sports Hub Academy is the center for sports excellence for grassroots and talent development in India. The Academy grassroots level programmes are scientifically designed to help train and mold an aspiring child into a wholesome and successful sportsman. Along with the world-class facilities offered, the linear series of training programme levels enable children to improve their skills by folds as they progress across multiple levels including introduction, development, intermediate, emerging, advanced and professional. Currently training programmes are offered for cricket, swimming, football, basketball and badminton.

The badminton academy is driven by a dedicated team of local and international coaches who are handpicked and trained by Yogendran.

Yogendran, needs no introduction having been part of the Malaysian National Team along with the greats of the game such as Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Hafiz Hashim. He has played at the highest levels of the game and has participated in tournaments such as All England and World Championships. He was ranked as high as 32 in the world and was a well-known singles player with several international titles. He has trained under badminton legend Morten Frost from Denmark, Chinese coaches Li Mao and Zhou Kejian, Malaysian greats Datuk Misbun Sidek, Datuk Tey Seu Bock, Wong Tat Meng and Indra Gunawan from Indonesia.

After successfully completing a long span of playing career and winning many notable international titles, he started his coaching career at New Vision Badminton Academy Malaysia (NVBA) Malaysia, which he started alongside former Malaysian international player Yeoh Kay Bin and childhood friend Manojkumar. Ten years into its operations, NVBA is one of the best badminton training centres in Malaysia and players from all over the globe train at the centre in Petaling Jaya.

In the last decade, Yogendran and NVBA have played a strong role by creating Olympians such as Jacob Maliekal from Africa, Yara Azad from Iraq, Lino Munoz from Mexico. Many players qualified for the prestigious World Championships, such as Jacob and Julien Paul from Mauritius.

Having produced many world class players from Malaysia, he decided to move to India in 2016 to tap into a larger pool of talented players to produce the next world champion.

For this, he had partnered with former player and badminton coach Alex Tharakan and badminton enthusiast and entrepreneur, Sreekumar Gopinath to start this academy called YIBA.

After two years in Chennai, he moved to Trivandrum on the invite of Kerala Badminton Association to form a partnership with KSFL Sports Hub.

With its state of art facility at Greenfields Stadium Karyavattom, the centre aims at being first of its kind international high-performance badminton training centre in India.

Having players and coaches from across the globe, it is one of the only few elite centres in India where players from all over the world come to train.

From the time they began, they have hosted the Mauritius national team, players from Uganda, Malaysia and United States to train at the centre preparing for various international tournaments. Along with the international players, they also have players from almost all the states in India who have come to achieve their goals.

“YIBA’s main objective is to create champions in badminton and to be among the best training institute in the world. For this, we would work hard towards training our players, equipping them to compete in the top tournaments such as Olympics and World Championships,” said Yogendran when met at his centre in Trivandrum.

“Our immediate goal is to prepare our elite international players to compete and win in tournaments to qualify for the upcoming Olympics. We believe in collective responsibility, where in coaches and players work hand in hand to achieve our goals,” added Yogendran who is also the chief coach of Mauritius National Badminton Team since 2017 and had his contract renewed for another two years recently.

“The reason we choose Trivandrum was because of their state-of-the-art facilities - 16 wooden courts, Olympic sized swimming pool, fully equipped gym and the world class cricket stadium, which makes the venue recognised.”

During his playing career, Yogendran, used to coach part time in order to earn money as well as improve his own game. It was during this time that he developed a passion to train and produce an Olympic champion.

On why he decided to move to India, he explained: “The opportunity and support given by the state government to and YIBA was the main reason. Access to state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity that allowed me to challenge myself to become a better coach and to be able to produce world-class players from a country with a population of billions of people.”

At YIBA, Yogendran is assisted in by Alex, who has vast coaching experience and his wife Sugita who has played in the All England, Swiss and French Open badminton championships and in the Thomas/Uber Cup competition in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2006.

Sugita is also the backbone of the YIBA as she is responsible for the management of the Academy.

The other coaches in YIBA coaching staff setup are all locals - Kamaldeep Singh (senior coach), Raja M, Vishnu VG, Varghese KC, Marisamy G and Agilan A.

Yogendran is always in the lookout to improve the standard of his Academy and there is a strong possibility that in the coming months, a list of high calibre coaches will be joining the coaching team in YIBA

YIBA also have an alliance with an academy in China headed by legendary badminton coach, Li Mao and Malaysian international player and coach, Yeoh Kay Bin.

“Some improvement has been implemented in sports hub since we came in partnership in the last 8 months - we have installed new light system for the entire badminton courts (16). Started installing rubberised courts.

“We have also hosted the All Kerala Sub Junior (Under 11, 13 and 15) 2019 (400-500 participants) as well as the All India Junior Under 19 Ranking Tournament 2019 (1000 participants). We also hosted the Trivandrum District Badminton Tournament from the 7^th – 10^th June 2019.”

Yogendran said some notable players who have had training stints in the academy include Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei), Hu Yun (Hong Kong) and Deng Xuan (China),

International players currently and intermittently training in YIBA, include Goh Giap Chin, Sim Wee Peng, Lim Xuan and Letshanaa Karupathevan from Malaysia, Julien Paul from Mauritius, Aisha Nakiyemba from Uganda and the Mauritius National Team (Men and Women).

Julien has qualified for the World Championships 2019 in Switzerland and is in contention for the Olympics next year.

Yogendran said he has 101 beginners and 91 intermediate and advance trainees for a total of 192 trainees with his Academy.

“Our junior boys were top 10 in the state have started winning titles since joining us. We are pleasantly surprised and excited to see what the future holds for our players,” said the 37-year-old Yogendran, the same age as his wife.

Yogendran and Sugita and their two children – four year-old Mischa Anne and three year-old Roen Dhavin, together with Yogendran’s parents, are all relocated in Trivamdrum since last year.

Indeed, Yogendran and Sugita have done Malaysia proud internationally with a well-established and managed Academy.

Asked whether he plans to play a bigger role in Malaysia besides his Academy which is run by this other coaches, he revealed that he was invited to a Townhall Session sent to clubs by the Ministry of Sports in March to discuss current Malaysian badminton hierarchy; the role of BAM and State BA, relationship between BAM and clubs invited for the Townhall session and the role of Badminton clubs in development of Malaysian badminton.

The Sports Minister and his deputy, Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria (BAM president), Datuk Wira Lim Teong Kiat (Dep BAM president) and Datuk Ng Chin Chai (Gen Sec BAM) attended.

Following which, a few who attended the session were asked to join a task force committee.

“I attended the Townhall Session and was asked to join the Task Force and attend a meeting end of July, which I could not because of my overseas engagement,” said Yogendran.

Ends.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

LEGENDARY LAWRENCE OF SEREMBAN HAS PASSED ON

Lawrence van Huizen, a legendary hockey Olympian and coach passed away this morning in Seremban. He was 89 years old. Lawrence's name is synonymous in the hockey family. His impact still carries on with his son Stephen Van Huizen who is the national hockey team manager and his grandson, Joel Samuel, is in the national team. His contributions to hockey is immense and we are forever indebted to him.

Deepest condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace and the Lord grant him eternal rest.

You will always be remembered dear Lawrence whom I have known for 40 years and wrote numerous stories on him. The NST Editorial hockey team were sparring partners in many friendly matches when Lawrence was coaching the women's team. A very respected man and I am going to miss him.

Below is an article written by me and Sathsivam five years ago and another on Lawrence and William Fidelis who were pillars of St Paul’s as hockey institution.

NS Hockey Association inducted Lawrence (seated right) and William Fidelis (next to Lawrence) into their Hall of Fame a few years ago. Seen here with the women's hockey team he had coached for many years and Satwant Singh Dhaliwal (left) who was also honoured at the event

ICONS FROM THE PAST:

LAWRENCE JOSEPH VAN HUIZEN

By TONY MARIADASS and C. SATHASIVAM SITHERAVELLU

Lawrence of Seremban

More than four decades of involvement in hockey

LAWRENCE Joseph Van Huizen may come from a different generation but his name is synonymous with the hockey circle till today because of how much he has given back to the game.

The 1964 Olympian who turns 84 on July 30, has, after his playing days, made a name as a coach by developing many young players especially from his hometown in Seremban. He has also been involved extensively with the women’s national hockey and assisted the national men’s team too.

Lawrence, who represented Negri Sembilan from 1951-1968 in hockey, also played football for the State. In hockey, besides the Tokyo Olympics, he has also played in two Asian Games – the 1958 Tokyo and 1962 Jakarta Games. He was also the captain of the Pre-Olympic tour of India in 1964.

Hockey wasn’t Lawrence’s first love. He started off by playing football when he was a secondary school student of St Paul’s Institution (SPI) in Seremban in the 1940s.
Coached by “Brother Gabriel” from Myanmar, Lawrence took up hockey in Form 1 (previously known as Standard 7) at the age of 13. He played for the Seremban Rangers Club in 1952 and the team won the Negri Sembilan Hockey League title.

“My love for the game was instilled from school through dedicated teachers like Ashwin Patel, SPI principal Brother Felix and the hockey environment in Seremban,” said Lawrence when interviewed at his home in Seremban.

“Having come from a hockey background, I just wanted to give back to the game and the greatest satisfaction is the many young players I have produced at St Paul’s Institution (SPI).

“SPI sought my services and I was more than happy to assist them,” said Lawrence who is popularly known as ‘Hoeji’.

Lawrence, together with his late brother Peter (a former Olympian goalkeeper in 1956 and played in two Asian Games – 1958 and 1962) and William Fidelis, who all studied in SPI, would spend most of their time at the NS Padang after his work at the Chartered Bank Seremban, when not coaching the school team. He also coached the Seremban Convent School.

The trio also coached the famed Rangers in the NS hockey league which produced the bulk of the state and national players for the country.

SPI and Rangers have produced players from the Boudvilles, Danker, Sta Maria, Fidelis and Van Huizen families.

It was little surprise that Negri Sembilan were then the powerhouse of hockey from the 60s to 80s having won the Razak Cup four times in 1965,1967,1975 and 1977 and countless number of schools titles through SPI.

Among the outstanding national and state players produced under the tutelage of Lawrence, Peter and William Fidelis are Franco D’Cruz, James D’Cruz, Brian Sta Maria, Colin sta Maria, Stephen Van Huizen, William Lazaroo, Raymond Tio, Kevin Nunis, Derek Fiedlis, Ian Sta Maria, David Paul and Mark Paul to name a few.

Lawrence was also popular among the ladies as he was the national coach 1981 to 1986 and in 1989 coached the Indonesia women’s team in 1987 and Singapore’s in 1989. His other coaching stints include coaching Sarawak for the Malaysia Games in 1990 and 1996.

Among the achievements with the women’s national team include 1981 Asia Cup Kyoto Japan (bronze medal), 1982 Asian Games New Dehli (bronze medal), 1983 Women’s Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur (3^rd place, 1983 Sea Games Singapore (gold medal) and 1986 Asian Games Seoul (fourth).

With men’s team, Lawrence has the distinction of the team in Lahore International Tournament 1976 to fourth place, was assistant coach for 1966 Asian Games Bangkok and one of the assistant coaches for the 1975 World Cup. He was also coach for Mexico Olympics team with India’s Naidu but was dropped at the last minute when the then Malaysian Hockey Federation decided to Naidu instead.

Lawrence’s family history can be traced back to his grandfather who came from Indonesia, while his father, Alexis Van Huizen, was a government servant and his mother, Grace Mos Virgin was a housewife who took care of 16 children.
The Seremban-born Lawrence is the 11th in the family while his brother, Peter, who passed away in 2011, was the 13th child.
Married to Doreen of Malacca, Lawrence is the father of five boys and two girls.

Lawrence is also proud that the hockey pedigree tradition runs in the Van Huizen family. His son Stephen Van Huizen was the captain of the 1979 Junior World Cup team in Paris and had the likes of state and schoolmates William, Derek, Collin and Kevin playing alongside him as they finished fourth.
Stephen went on to play for the country at the Asian Games in 1982 and 1986, 1984 Olympics and 1982 World Cup having represented the country from 1979-1986. He was the national coach from 1992 to 2002. Stephen is still actively involved in the game under the technical study group and assists in coaching when required.

The Van Huizen tradition continues with Stephen’s son – Joel Samuel - having played for the Junior World Cup team in New Delhi last December.

“It was great joy to see my grandson keep up the family tradition in hockey and I hope it will continue on with Joel’s sons,” said Lawrence who dedicated more than four decades of his life to the game.

On Malaysian hockey these days, Lawrence has kind words when he said that they are doing well.

“The players are more skilful and faster these days. And their ranking, I believe, will improve with the continuous efforts made.

“Those days, we had to contend with powers like India and Pakistan and maybe Korea. But now we have the Europeans including the Australians and Canadians who have joined the fray to become world powers. Under the circumstances, we cannot be overly critical, but continue to work hard to improve and be among the top hockey playing nations in the world.”

Lawrence spending most of his time at home, keeps constant touch with the development of Malaysian hockey and watches the matches on live telecasts these days.

Lawrence has indeed given so much to hockey and was rightfully inducted to the Olympics of Malaysia Hall of Fame last year and the hockey legends by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation recently and will be remembered forever.

BIO DATA – Lawrence Joseph Van Huizen PMC , PJK

Date of Birth : 30^th July 1930

Age : 89

Playing Career - Hockey

Represented – State level

1) Negeri Sembilan 1951 -1968

Also represented Negeri Sembilan in Football

Represented Malaysia – Senior Team

1) 1 Olympics -1964 Tokyo Olympics

2) 2 Asian Games - 1958 Tokyo Asian Games and 1962 Jakarta Asian Games ( Bronze)

Was Captain of the National Hockey team for the Pre Olympic tour to India in 1964

Coaching career

1) Malaysian Ladies Hockey Team 1981 -1986

a) 1981 Asia Cup Kyoto Japan - Bronze

b) 1982 Asian Games New Dehli– Bronze

c) 1983 Women’s Intercontinental KL – 3^rd place

d) 1983 Sea Games Singapore - Gold

e) 1986 Asian Games Seoul – 4^th

2) Coach Malaysian Men team to Lahore International Tournament 1976 – 4^th placing

3) Assistant Coach for 1966 Asian Games Bangkok and one of the assistant coaches for the 1975 World Cup

4) Coach for Mexico Olympics with Mr Naidu of India but was dropped at the last minute when MHF decided to take foreign Coach Mr Naidu from India instead.

Others

· Coach of Indonesia Ladies Hockey Team Jakarta Sea Games1987

· Coach of Singapore Ladies Hockey Team KL Sea Games 1989

· Coach of Sarawak Sukma Team 1990 and 1996

· Coach St Paul’s Institution and Negeri Combined Schools from 1957 that produced many Olympians and International Hockey players – Franco DCruz, Brian Sta Maria, Colin Sta Maria, Kevin Nunis, etc

Pingat Masyarakat Cemerlang (PMC) and PJK – Negeri Sembilan

Named as one of the Hockey Legend by Malaysian Hockey Federation

Father of ex National Hockey Captain and coach – Stephen Van Huizen

Brother of Former 1956 Olympian – Late Peter Van Huizen

Former national hurdler athlete Kenny Martin (in white) whose first love is hockey sharing some light moments his mentors William and Lawrence.

Singing the school anthem with Lawrence and William

Lawrence, William pillars of St Paul’s as hockey institution

BY TONY MARIADASS

St Paul’s Institution (SPI) Seremban, stands proud to have been a nursery for hockey for decades and two former pupils who had played a key role in shaping the tradition are Lawrence van Huizen and William Fidelis.

It may be long overdue but better late than never. But both Lawrence and William have always been remembered for their contribution, and were given a fitting tribute by the former Paulians with the “Home Coming" thyme last Saturday at the Seremban 2 hockey Stadium.

The event organised by Michael Yen, a former national hockey player himself, was in honour and recognition of the dedicated, committed, beloved, strong willed coaches Lawrence and William.

Also present to make the event possible was SPI principal Lucy Ratnam, senior assistant (co-curriculum) Shantini Lingam and Old Paulians Association president, Prof Ganakumaran Subramaniam.

“These two "hockey icons" of St Pauls Institution have spent tireless hours and sweat on the pitches to produce respected hockey players and human beings. Some have moved on to represent the nation whilst others have moved on in life and become respected individuals and corporate figures,” said Terence Rajasingham a Paulian and ex-state player.

“Rain or shine, morning or evenings, you can see these two special gifts to SPI being there with the students. They did it for love and passion and especially so for the Paulians. So what better way to pay homage and recognition to these two great coaches than by being here to show our thankfulness to them.”

Terence’s sentiments were echoed by 40-odd ex-Paulian hockey players who played a friendly match against with the present St Paul’s team before honouring Lawrence and William at halftime. The match ended with the younger Paulians winning 6-3.

Among the ex-Paulians who were present included former national players Colin Sta Maria, Stephen van Huizen, Gary Fidelis, Derek Fidelis, Raymond Tio, William Lazaroo, Kevin Nunis, Michael and Ian Sta Maria while among the state players present were Stephen’s brothers John, Stanely and Adrian van Huizen, Anthony Chan, Lionel Wong, Peter Yan, Terence, Lim Loke Choy, Colin Fidelis, Surinder Singh, Lawrence Tan and M. Gobinathan and former national hurdler Kenny Martin whose first love was hockey.

Of the national players SPI produced, Brian sta Maria, Stephen, Colin, Kevin, Gary Fidelis and S. Suriaghandi and Keevan Raj became Olympians.

Stephen had the distinction of being involved in four Olympics, six Asian Games, three World Cups, two Commonwealth Games and four SEA Games as a player or coach.

Before that Lawrence himself and late Peter Van Huizen, late Datuk Ho Koh Chye and Franco De Cruz had already set the ball rolling to play in the Olympics.

Other top notch players who have emerged under the tutelage of Lawrence and William include the likes of James D’Cruz, M. Joseph, Peter Danker, Michael, Henry sta Maria, Yap Yook Cheang, Ch'ng Meng Kung, David Paul and Mark Paul to name a few.

Then Negri Sembilan hockey then had three districts with their respective schools and coaches as power centres of hockey. While in Seremban there was SPI with Lawrence and William Fidelis, King George V (KGV) with the late Datuk Ho Koh Chye, whereas Kuala Pilah had Tunku Mahmud School (TMS) with Mithal and finally Tampin with Tunku Besar School (TBS), had the late V.Sivapathasundram churning out outstanding hockey players.

“There were so many dedicated teachers and coaches with so much passion for the game those years and it was no surprise that so many talented players emerged,” said Kevin.

“But today, we lack in teachers and coaches of that calibre and it is no surprise there is a dearth of talent.”

Indeed Lawrence has given back so much to the game.

The 1964 Olympian who turned 88 on July 30, represented Negri Sembilan from 1951-1968 in hockey, also played football for the State. In hockey, besides the Tokyo Olympics, he has also played in two Asian Games – the 1958 Tokyo and 1962 Jakarta Games. He was also the captain of the Pre-Olympic tour of India in 1964.

His love for the game was instilled in SPI through dedicated teachers like Ashwin Patel, then SPI principal Brother Felix and the hockey environment in Seremban.

“Having come from a hockey background, I just wanted to give back to the game and the greatest satisfaction is the many young players I have produced at St Paul’s Institution (SPI),” said Lawrence who is popularly known as ‘Hoeji’

Lawrence, together with his late brother Peter (a former Olympian goalkeeper in 1956 and played in two Asian Games – 1958 and 1962) and William, who all studied in SPI, after their playing days spend most of their time at the NS Padang when not coaching the school team. The trio also coached the famed Rangers in the NS hockey league which produced the bulk of the state and national players for the country.

With men’s team, Lawrence has the distinction of the team in Lahore International Tournament 1976 steering them to fourth place, was assistant coach for 1966 Asian Games Bangkok and one of the assistant coaches for the 1975 World Cup.

The 83 year old William on the other was better known for his coaching stints and among the fond memories he recalled included when he coached the Negri team in the Razak Cup tournament in Terengganu in 1991 when his team defeated Kuala Lumpur which was represented by 16 national players coached by Sri Shanmugnathan.

William who was known for his loud voice and calls from the stand, despite his ailing health was still calling out at the ex-Paulians on Saturday.

“Hockey is in my blood. I may not be as active as I used to be because of my health, but watching these players today, brought the hockey out of me,” said William who assisted Lawrence and Peter when Malaysia grabbed the bronze medal at the Women's Intercontinental Cup in 1989.

William is also a proud father like Lawrence with his children - all five children played hockey for Negri.

In addition, Derek played in the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1982 and Gary -- who played in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics -- was chosen for the Asian All Stars Team.

Apart from SPI boys, he also coached the Convent Secondary School and Tunku Kursiah College girls.

Indeed, Lawrence and William are rare breed and it will be hard act to follow by the present generation.

Not only are they iconic personalities, but have made SPI stand tall for the sports of hockey.

Friday, August 9, 2019

HOWZAT MALAYSIA

Hope Malaysia does not get hauled up soon!

IOC issues stern warning to CONI over potential Olympic Charter breaches

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By Patrick O’Kane
Wednesday, 7 August 2019

Italian National Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malagò was given a stark reminder of CONI's responsibilities in the Internatonal Olympic Committee letter ©Getty Images

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has sent a letter to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) raising serious concerns for its role in the future of Italian sport and issued a warning of suspension should the issues not be rectified promptly.

The letter, which insidethegames has seen, served as a stark reminder of the IOC's power to a National Olympic Committee which, just six weeks ago, celebrated a successful bid campaign to host the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

At the end of 2018 the Italian Parliament approved a law which would see a separate Government-controlled organisation set-up to distribute funds to the country's national governing bodies.

This body, called "Sport e Salute" - or Sport and Health - would allegedly reduce CONI's role to only handling preparation for the Olympic Games.

The Italian Parliament plans could also see CONI's annual budget reduced from €400 million (£353 million/$453 million) to just €40 million (£35 million/$45 million).

In January, CONI President Giovanni Malagò warned it was important that CONI worked with the Italian Parliament to find a quick solution to the approved law changes but seven months on, nothing appears to have been resolved.

In the three-page letter, signed by James Macleod, the director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations, the IOC raised issue with the impact of Italian Parliament approving plans to set up a Government-controlled organisation which would distribute funds to the country's national governing bodies.

The preservation of CONI's autonomy, a basic foundation of the Olympic Charter, is the key issue at stake for the IOC.

Addressed to Malagò, the letter expressly noted article 27.9 of the Olympic Charter: "The IOC Executive Committee can take the most appropriate decisions for the protection of the Olympic Movement in the country of a NOC, including the suspension or withdrawal of the recognition of such NOC if the constitution, the law or other rules in the nation in question.

"The IOC Executive Committee will offer this NOC the opportunity to be heard before making such a decision."

Members of the delegation of Milan/Cortina d'Ampezzo 2026 Winter Olympics candidate city react after the cities were selected to host the 2026 Olympic Winter Games ©Getty Images

The Italians were reminded that "belonging to the Olympic Movement requires respect for the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC" and the letter reiterated the role of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to ensure compliance with the Olympic Charter in their own countries.

It served to reinforce CONI's responsibilities with an additional warning that NOC's could collaborate with Non-Governmental Organisations, provided they did not take an action contrary to the Olympic Charter.

The letter also reflected the NOC's autonomous responsibility in the determination and control of the rules of sport, the definition of the structure and the governance of their organisations.

CONI were reminded that NOC's should "resist pressures of any kind, including, but not limited to, political, legal, religious or economic pressures that could prevent them from fulfilling the Olympic Charter".

The letter reflected on the fact that the autonomy of sport was formally established in a Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations, adopted in New York in 1994, referring to the development of sports in a country requiring positive collaboration in order to build relationships in fruitful terms and complementary actions with benefits for sports and athletes.

The IOC called on CONI to resolve its complaints with the Italian Government at its earliest opportunity and were open to hosting a joint meeting at Olympic House in Lausanne this week, offering to provide further clarification and assistance where necessary.

However, the Italian Parliament breaks for two weeks of holiday at the close of business tomorrow, so any immediate resolution looks unlikely.

CONI declined to comment on the letter.

Level Field