Some Spark in SportAccord Presidential Race

In a letter outlining his vision for the presidency, Vizer, the president of the International Judo Federation, says members can choose between the past for SportAccord or turning the organization into a "well-known world brand."

The election, the first-ever contested presidency in the 10 years of SportAccord, takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia May 31.

Vizer issued a letter Thursday with the headline "Stand-up fr Change" about the past leadership of SportAccord, saying delegates will "vote with honor" for a new president.

"They have the option to vote for maintaining a SportAccord like it used to be in the past, manipulated from behind, with no perspectives, with insignificant funds, generated through controversial events and without generating a profit for the member federations," he writes.

Without naming names he says "certain limited, expired and under-performing leaders, supported from the shadows...with leaders reconverted into positions where they would continue to parasite the values of sport."

Outlining his vision, Vizer repeated his call for a united world championships that would increase the marketability and recognition of SportAccord and also a new style of leadership.

He writes that a Vizer-led SportAccord would be "a new and performing SportAccord, free and independent, that cannot be manipulated, which would strictly serve the interests of its members and their organization."

In addition to his proposal for a worldwide multi-sport event, Vizer also calls for SportAccord competitions down to the national level.

Additionally, he would strengthen relationships with allied groups to increase SportAccord’s leverage.

"Man’s most valuableassets are honor and conscience," Vizer concludes.

"Throughout history vision, knowledge and courage reformed humanity."

Vizer’s statement followed by hours the release of Lapasset’s manifesto. In the document, Lapasset, the International Rugby Board president, outlined a plan with four points: "to place SportAccord at the heart of the values of the sport movement; to support a strong vision of the practices of international sport; to reinforce the unity of international sport families while maintaining their diversity; and to guarantee a stable economic environment as federations face new economic challenges."

Written by Ed Hula III.

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