Princess Haya Confirms Departure as FEI President at End of Term
September 25, 2013
International Equestrian Federation (FEI) president HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein has revealed she will not stay on as president when her term ends in 2014.
Princess Haya, who was elected President in 2006, proposed to limit the President’s reign to two full four-year terms when she began her stint.
After calls to add a third term the former equestrian has revealed she will stand by her previous mantle.
Princess Haya said in a statement: “In my first meeting in Lausanne with the FEI Bureau after my election in 2006, I proposed limiting FEI Presidents to two four-year terms. I suggested that reform, which was later adopted as an FEI Statute, because it is essential to ensure fresh thinking and avoid a sense of entitlement within the leadership of an International Sport Federation.
“Whilst I very much appreciate and am honoured by efforts of the FEI Regional Group Chairpersons and the National Federations to amend the FEI Statutes to permit me, or any FEI President to seek a third term, my views on the benefits of a two-term limit have not changed since the day I was elected. I love being FEI President. I am passionate about the work and our sport. I love the people I work with at the National Federations and at headquarters.
“However, I cannot in good conscience put aside my beliefs and the commitment I made seven years ago now that the term limit I supported applies to me. I am deeply grateful to all the National Federations that favour changing the Statutes to allow me a third term. I am confident they will understand why I feel I must keep my word when my current term ends next year.”
Princess Haya would lose her International Olympic Committee membership on leaving the FEI.
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