An interesting letter from The South African Field Target Association

The Chairman,

World Field Target Federation.

Dear Peter,

QUO VADIS WFTF?

With the admission of New Zealand as the 21st member of the WFTF last year, this federation has come of age in more ways than one.  Unfortunately the World FT Championships that were hosted in Pulaski last year, did not reflect the kind of maturity one would expect from such an established federation, or rather its member countries.  South Africa and England were the only countries to send formally selected teams to participate in these “Worlds”, and effectively only four “countries” could be listed as having participated.  Certainly, this does not bode well for a federation with 21 member countries!

During the 2006 Worlds that were held in Poland , our management were assured by a number of countries that they would vote for South Africa to host the 2008 Worlds.   We had actually obtained sponsorship for the event from two international companies.  When it came to voting for the host country, only England , USA and Greece in the end voted for SA.  Scotland changed their vote from SA to Northern Ireland .  The reasons countries offered, was the cost of travelling to South Africa .  Do these WFTF countries consider the cost that the South African team members have to pay every time they have to travel to Europe or the USA to participate in the Worlds?  Is this the way non-European/US member countries are treated by the WFTF?

The collapse of the 2007 Worlds to only four official/unofficial teams clearly indicates that the present system whereby member countries vote for the next Worlds host country every year, does not work.  Rather this body could end up as a European Field Target Federation instead of a World Field Target Federation.  South Africa would most certainly not want this to happen, and we believe that all non-European/US member countries would agree with us.

In an attempt to bring some order to the way in which host countries are appointed, we have developed a draft WFTF Policy on rotating host countries for the FT Worlds.  The draft is attached to this letter.  We sincerely trust that member countries of the WFTF will view this as a serious proposal that can only strengthen the basis of the federation.  Please give it your thorough consideration.

Yours sincerely,

 

Johan Jansen - Chairman: SAFTAA.

WFTF Policy On Rotating Host Countries For The FT Worlds

Proposed Policy

It is proposed that a policy of rotating FT Worlds host countries be implemented, based on the following principles, namely that:

1. A list be developed containing all member countries of the WFTF;
2. The member at the top of the list be offered first refusal to host the next FT Worlds (2009 onwards);
3. If the top listed member is not willing or able to host the FT Worlds, its name be moved to the bottom of the list, and the next country on the list be offered the opportunity to host the competition;
4. New member countries’ names be added to the bottom of the list.

Proposed first FT Worlds hosting list

It is proposed that the first FT Worlds hosting list be set up as follows:

1. South Africa, having been the unsuccessful bidder for hosting the 2008 FT Worlds, and also having finished 6^th, 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 FT Worlds, at the top of the list;
2. Norway and Germany as early WFTF members in positions two and three respectively;
3. The four countries that hosted the FT Worlds for the years 2005 to 2008 at the bottom of the list;
4. All other member countries placed in alphabetical order between Germany and England .

Consideration and adoption of this policy

SAFTAA respectfully requests that this proposed policy be circulated to all member countries of the WFTF for their consideration, inputs and final adoption.  The first FT Worlds rotation list as proposed in this draft policy, is attached as Annexure A.

WFTF MASTER LIST:  ROTATING FT WORLDS HOST COUNTRIES

2009 FT Worlds

South Africa
Norway
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Lithuania
Malta
Netherlands
New Zealand
Portugal
Russia
Scotland
Spain
Wales
England
Poland
USA
Northern Ireland