Princess Haya signals intention to stand for re-election as FEI president

AMMAN –– HRH Princess Haya on Tuesday signalled her intention to stand for re-election as president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) after member countries voted 103-3 to abolish a two-term limit, a statement issued by FEI said. 

The overwhelming vote in favour of amending the FEI statutes to allow FEI presidents to serve three consecutive four-year terms in office clears the way for Princess Haya to serve three consecutive terms. 

The vote on amending the statutes to prolong the term of the FEI president took place at the FEI Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA) in Lausanne, Switzerland, according to the statement posted on the website of FEI. 

Princess Haya had stated in September last year that she would not stand for re-election, despite an earlier move by FEI regional group chairpersons and the national federations to amend the FEI statutes at the 2013 general assembly.

Following Princess Haya’s statement, the amendment proposal was removed from the general assembly agenda, but a petition signed by 100 national federations during the meeting in Montreux called for an EGA. 

As a result, the EGA was included in the timetable for this week’s two-day sports forum, which got under way Monday at the International Management Development Institute in Lausanne.

Princess Haya excused herself from Tuesday’s pre-vote discussions and the vote itself, seeking delegates’ approval to allow FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos to chair the meeting. Following the vote in favour of amending the statutes, an emotional Princess Haya returned to a standing ovation, said the statement.

“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. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that, it’s a huge honour,” she said, prompting further prolonged applause from delegates at the meeting.

“I’m very honoured for the opportunity you’ve given me to be available as a future president of the FEI for a third term. I don’t want to go further than that today because I do believe there’s the possibility that there’ll be other candidates and I believe they should be given the opportunity to come forward. But at the same time you have my commitment to you,” the FEI statement quoted her. 

At her first FEI bureau meeting after her election in 2006, Princess Haya proposed limiting FEI presidents to two four-year terms, a reform which was later adopted as an FEI statute. 

Today’s vote reverses that decision, but still limits the presidential term. Previously the FEI presidential term of office was unlimited.

The FEI presidential election will take place at the general assembly in December this year and the FEI bureau will decide on the application period for presidential candidates during its in-person meeting on June 9 and 10. 

The Swiss National Federation has already announced its support for Swiss businessman Pierre Genecand, although his candidacy has yet to be officially declared.

The EGA also unanimously supported the creation of the FEI Olympic Council. The council, which was proposed by the FEI bureau in February of this year, will be a more permanent liaison between the FEI and the members of the Olympic family with an equestrian background in order to protect the place of equestrian sport in the Olympic programme.

The council, which will be chaired by the FEI president, will include all IOC members and honorary members with an equestrian background.