On August 12, HRH Princess Haya announced her decision not to continue for a third term as FEI President.
Credit: fei.org-photo HRH Princess Haya“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life,” states Princess Haya. “My very first act in office in 2006 was to prepare a motion to limit the term of the FEI President to two, four-year terms. I reiterated that view in my re-election campaign four years later and again when some of my supporters began advocating for a statute change that would permit me to run for a third term.”
HRH Princess Haya’s positions as IOC Member, President of the International Horse Sports Confederation, OIE Goodwill Ambassador, and Honorary President of Fegentri, the International Federation of Gentlemen and Lady Riders (in amateur racing), all end with the completion of her term in office as FEI President in December 2014.
The election for the FEI Presidency takes place at the General Assembly in Baku (AZE) on December 14. The deadline for candidates to register their candidacy with the FEI Secretary General is September 1.
“Horses and our community motivate the best part of my soul. I have loved serving this community, just as I have loved being an athlete in our family,” said Princess Haya.
“The situation in my region (Dubai) is turbulent and desperate at the moment. You will understand that these are also my people and my family, so recently much of the work that I have balanced with my FEI Presidency in the past has begun to make itself a first priority. 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,” she said.
“To fulfill my commitments to humanitarian work and to raise my children with the time to love them seems truly overwhelming; it is clear to me that I cannot in good faith promise to give my all in each of these areas while also continuing to be the hands-on President that the FEI needs and deserves. After agonising over these conflicting worries and desires, I realise that my decision cannot be put off any longer. For the good of the FEI and most of all, our community, this decision had to be reached in good time to allow the many excellent candidates to come forward.”
