Because the 2022 FIH accounts have simply been revealed after having been accepted by the auditing firm (Ernst & Younger), FIH President Tayyab Ikram shares his ideas about funds, investments, growth and transparency:
FIH was within the pink figures a few years in the past; how did you get better?
Tayyab Ikram: We went on a rigorous saving mode. But in addition – and it is a optimistic growth – this case made us re-think the FIH Hockey Professional League format. We began with too lengthy and dear travels, on the expense of the athletes’ welfare. Now, we’ve a much more sustainable and more healthy match schedule. We additionally grew to become extra artistic relating to broadcasting.
Throughout my time as President of FIH, I’ll take a specific care on the sustainability of our funds, in addition to the relevance of our tasks.
The 2022 FIH accounts have confirmed that the funds of hockey’s world governing physique actually are again on observe now. What will likely be your funding priorities?
We’re a non-profit organisation and our mission primary is to develop hockey. We’ve got simply launched a first-of-its-kind growth technique, referred to as “FIH Empowerment and Engagement technique”. Our formidable programme encompasses quite a few tasks to satisfy our mission. Due to this fact, that is the place we’ll focus a elementary a part of our monetary investments, with the target to pursue the expansion of our sport globally.
We may even take a look at broadcasting our occasions on free-to-air, every time attainable, with a view to increase viewership. That can certainly suggest monetary investments as properly.
The FIH accounts are after all accessible on the Federation’s web site, FIH.hockey. How vital is transparency?
Transparency is non-negotiable! In my opinion, it is a pre-requisite to run any organisation correctly and with the arrogance of all its members. Not solely are we publishing our accounts, however we’ve simply organised a summit with Nationwide Associations – discussing about a variety of subjects and welcoming them to hitch our final Government Board assembly – and I need to hold them knowledgeable, no less than twice a 12 months, about our monetary scenario and provides them the chance to ask any questions they may have. That is good governance and our obligation in direction of our members.
How do you envisage to develop monetary sources?
In fact, we have to strengthen time and again our product. We nonetheless have some areas to work on to make it much more convincing in direction of inside and exterior stakeholders. This is applicable additionally to the best way we’re presenting our sport.
All of that’s completely essential if we need to develop partnerships. Certainly, partnerships can’t be a one-sided affair. They need to generate mutual advantages.
Equally vital, we’ve to construct belief! If potential business companions see a worth in our product and have belief, then the best way is paved for us to embark them on our journey. That’s why the standard of our supply and the belief that we might generate are so essential!