Governance reforms for World Rugby - Federation focus

(ATR) The World Rugby Council approves a package of “transformational” governance measures recommended by an independent-led review group.

The reclassification of unions, implementation of an enhanced integrity code and wider representation on committee structures are the major changes in how the federation will operate moving forward.

There is a commitment to move from the current 30 percent to at least 40 percent female representation across all committees as part of the reform program.

The approved recommendations relating to the classification of unions and the Integrity Code will be implemented immediately, while changes to the committee structures will be adopted for the next committee cycle in 2024 or as soon as practically possible.

World Rugby also announced on Wednesday that Jonathan Webb had been elected by the Council to serve on the federation’s executive committee.

Webb, a knee surgeon and former England player, defeated Cristina Flores (Rugby Americas North) and Ada Milby (Asia Rugby) and will serve on the committee for the remainder of the current four-year term that expires in 2024.

AIBA Sets Dates for World Champs

The 2021 AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships will be held from October 26 –November 6 in Belgrade, Serbia.

The international boxing federation confirmed the dates this week.

"We should be united like never before during these challenging times and give our athletes an opportunity to perform at the highest level. We have full confidence that the tournament will be conducted safely, given our successful implementation of COVID-19 counter measures throughout this year," President Umar Kremlev said.

Kremlev also believes the event will demonstrate that AIBA is serious in its efforts to get back into the good graces of the IOC, which suspended the federation for a variety of issues in 2019.

"The progress AIBA has and will continue to make from a reform perspective will be evident at the World Championships. We are placing significant emphasis on improving the transparency of our sport, as well as our governance. We have already implemented open scoring after each round and this is only the beginning. We will transform our rules for the benefit of boxers, as well as to make things clearer for spectators. The World Championships will be a real celebration of the sport of boxing," Kremlev added.

World Taekwondo Begins Election Process

Candidates for the available positions in World Taekwondo’s upcoming elections can now apply.

The period to register began on May 12 and ends on July 11. Elections for president, auditor and 17 council positions will be held on October 11 at the World Taekwondo General Assembly in Wuxi, China. Online voting will be available for those who cannot be there in person.

These will be the first elections under a recent governance overhaul that places age limits and term limits on elected positions.

The count of terms served begins after the reforms are implemented, so Chungwon Choue can run for a fifth term as president later this year.

As for age limits, no new candidates over 70 can run for office while no one over 80 can stand for re-election. At age 73, Choue still qualifies to run again.

Of the 17 council positions, Asia, Europe and Pan America will get four each. Three will come from Africa and two from Oceania.

As part of gender equality efforts, at least one woman from each Continental Union must be elected. The woman who receives the highest vote shall be promoted to Vice President.

Olympic Curling Qualifier in Scotland

Seven of the nine available places for the mixed doubles curling event at Beijing 2022 will be filled next week in Scotland.

Twenty teams will take part in the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2021 from May 17-23 at Curl Aberdeen, a purpose built curling facility.

As Olympic hosts, China has already qualified. Seven more teams will make it based on results in Scotland. The remaining two spots will be determined at an Olympic Qualification Event later in 2021, with all teams taking part in this championship that have not qualified directly eligible to compete.

To allow this competition to go ahead, and to keep all players and competition officials and event staff safe, special Covid-secure arrangements have been developed in consultation with the Scottish government and relevant authorities.

Both the men’s and women’s world championships recently took place in a "bubble" in Calgary, Canada due to the pandemic.

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Homepage photo: World Rugby

Written by Gerard Farek