Work-Life Balance, "Desperate" Situation in Gaza Prompts Haya to Not Run for Reelection

(ATR) Princess Haya says the demands of her family life mean she is unable to continue leading the International Equestrian Federation.

In a statement released by FEI on Monday, Haya, 40, said she would not seek a third term at the FEI General Assembly in Baku in December. Haya was first elected FEI president in 2006.

Haya’s says a major factor in her decision is the "turbulent and desperate" situation in the Middle East. The Jordanian-born princess is married to the ruler of Dubai. Without specifying any nationality or religion, she said of the ongoing unrest in the region "these are also my people and my family."

"In the last weeks, I have needed to put aside some of my work for the FEI to concentrate on humanitarian relief to Gaza and other work in that sector. And I feel that this is just the beginning."

Haya also said she pledged that she would adhere to a term limit, and the increasing demands on her work-life balance were at play.

"Fate took my own mother away from me when I was three years of age," Haya said in the statement.

"That experience greatly influences my efforts to strike the right work-life balance with my own two young children. I have always managed this balance in the past, but recent events have made me question my ability to do so."

She joined the IOC in 2005 as an Athletes Commission member. Haya was reelected to the IOC by virtue of her FEI presidency, meaning she will relinquish her IOC membership.

Written by Ed Hula III.

20 Years at #1: