World Armsport Federation


 
 
 
 

XIX WAF Congress Meeting Minutes
October 1 - 2, 1999 - Held in Vladikavkaz, Russia 


Meeting called to order: 18.45 hours
Welcome by Marat Gussov :
Sri Barij Baran Das, General Secretary, WAF, EAF President Dr. Milan Capla and all others in these difficult times. A big thank you especially to the U.S.A. team, Brazil, India and all others.  Now I request WAF General Secretary Sri Barij Baran Das to address this Congress
Address to XXth WAF CONGRESS by WAF General Secretary Sri Barij Baran Das :
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to an official WAF meeting. Sri Bob O’Leary cannot be here. Article 17, Clause 17, Article 17, Subclause W, the President being absent, I will preside as General Secretary. The circumstances here are a little unusual and everyone understands this, that only 20 of  WAF member countries could come here. However we are happy to see new representatives from Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sudan , Palestine and Pakistan. Thank you all.   The Meeting notes with particular satisfaction that exactly 20 countries, several with very big teams, have attended this WORLD Championships in Russia.   The WAF countries also extend their full support to other WAF members who could not come because of the sudden war-like situation in a neighbouring area. Particularly missed were Turkey, Argentina, Australia, Pakistan and Arab Palestine.  As many members are not present due to sudden disturbances in a neighbouring area here we will be able to discuss several topics but not get a final decision. Everyone is free to say what they wish. Be brief.   I will now place before you the official agenda of the Congress and request you to be free to discuss if you wish and allow me to carry on. As General Secretary, I can let you know about several points on the agenda.  If you approve a point on the agenda please raise your hand. This includes new members who are our guests.
All approve of agenda.
I. WAF Accounts
Every World federation has to have earnings to operate. Accounts are audited by qualified auditors. Accounts were posted to all WAF members before. Sri Bob O’Leary has approved of the accounts. So I ask you if you approve these accounts –raiseyour hands.  Re-appointment of same Auditor  They are qualified auditors. For next year we will re-appoint them
Accounts passed, unanimously.
II. NEW MEMBER APPLICATIONS 1999
I am very happy to say new member applicants include Australia, New Zealand, Ecuador, Philippines, South Africa , China, U.K., Colombia, Ghana.  Dr. Capla: Says ‘We already have U.K.’  General Secretary : I shall qualify each country.  Australia – totally new. Sent a message to say they could not attend this meet because of lack of funds.  New Zealand – ditto.  Ecuador – ditto.  Philippines – ditto.  Pakistan – ditto.  South Africa – ditto.  Nicaragua – ditto.  China – Just formed .  U.K. – we already had a member federation of which the Secretary was Ms. Kim Shoesmith now replaced by Mr. Neil Pickup. They have held a new election. Their new President is Sri Chas Brook who came as Referee to the European Championships in Hungary.  He, Mr. Brook, now comes in place of Mr. Mike Haig, outgoing President of BAF.  They are with us but because of the situation were unable to come here.  New countries – we invite them as observers.
All agree (all raise hands). Unanimously accepted.
III. FILLING OF VACANCY IN WAF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IF ANY.
For the benefit of new members present here – WAF has an Executive Committee comprising 1 person from North America, I person from South America, 1 for Europe – Dr. Capla, 1 for Africa – General Osman, Asia – me, Australasia, which has Australia, New Zealand and about 7 other island countries – Dr. Karl Ajami is the member. He could not come because of lack of sponsors.  You see here WAF has an Executive Committee  for re-selection if required, once every 4 years. The next election to the WAF Executive Committee will be in the year 2000 in the WAF Congress in U.S.A. The present WAF Executive Committee will resign and if they are nominated by their own continent like Dr. Capla from Europe, General Osman from Africa, I from Asia, Mr. Frank Bean from U.S.A. (he was unable to be present here – Mrs. Karen Bean is representing him), Humberto Panzetti from South America, may all stand for re-election if nominated by their own continents.Prior to re-election, all Executive Committee Members should resign by tradition. . Until then there is no question of a new  WAF Executive Committee. This is as per WAF Constitution.
All approve.
Sri Vladimir Petrenko of Ukraine proposes to enter one more representative from Europe in the WAF Executive Committee – Sri Marat Gusov of Russia, as most members present are from Europe.  WAF General Secretary – We can discuss this in next year’s meeting  when the new Executive Committee is formed.
Sri Bimal Chanda, India-Then  I also propose 2 representatives from Asia n the WAF Executive Committee as India alone has more armsporters than the entire European continent.
Question from Sri Steve Stanaway: Why do you want 2 representataives for Europe on WAF Executive Committee?
Ukraine answers – because the largest number of countries who are members of WAF are from Europe.
Ms. Bean – According to the Constitution there must be 1 member from each continent on the WAF Executive Committee.
General Secretary – I am the General Secretary and have some experience in WAF:
(i) If you wish to increase the number of representatives on the WAF Executive Committee from Europe to
             2 by voting for it, it will become effective only after 1 year.
   (ii) To get any proposal passed, 2/3 of the majority of WAF members have to be present, as per the Constitution.
           This is not the case here at this congress.
Sri Pavel Zhivora – There has never been a WAF Championships where 50% of members have been present.
General Secretary – I differ. It is only recently that we have grown so big. We are very honoured to have so many European members present. If at the Congress in 2000 a vote is taken, then all other continents will want 2 or 3 representatives.  Asia has the largest population. So if population of Asia votes, Asia wins , easily gets majority.
So instead of all this let us be cautious, otherwise chances are that every resolution passed here will be overturned at the WAF Congress in 2000.
Sri Stanaway – Can Europe elect a person who has been here a shorter time than anyone else?
Sri Konstantinas Archipovas , Lithuania – If this Championships is official and sanctioned by WAF can we take any decisions here?
General Secretary – Championships and Congress are separate. These  Championships are official.  The Congress goes by the Rules of the WAF Constitution.   Therefore proposal is included in the minutes of this Congress.
Sri Konstantinas Archipovas , Lithuania – So we cannot take decisions now?
General Secretary –  We can. Proposal accepted. No vacancy on WAF Executive Committee now as per existing WAF Constitution.
Sri Pavel Zhivora –What if next year the number of countries is no more than this year?
General Secretary – Then we shall have to take a decision then.
Sri Pavel Zhivora – Can we decide now?
General Secretary – No, according to the Constitution.
Sri Gusov Marat – Even with the absence of the WAF President, the General Secretary has the right to lead the Congress. When I asked Mr. Das about whether making any resolution at this Congress is official and whether this Congress is official he said both are official. So I agreed to run the WAF Championships here.
General Secretary – I agree.
Sri Marat Gusov – Now you are referring to the Constitution and telling us this Congress is not ‘in force’. If so, we should leave and cancel the Championships because many countries have shown courage and come here. Mr. Das is a respected person and gave his approval when I asked about the validity of this Congress.   WAF President Bob O’Leary 1st gave us information that he would come here, then at the last minute said he would not , and also told all WAF Members not to attend this Championships as well. Mr. Das told us 70 countries were expected to attend this championships but this has not happened.
General Secretary – Let Sri Marat Gusov prove I made such a statement.
Sri Marat Gusov – There is no proof that more countries will attend the WORLDs in 2000. Should we cancel everything? Why is Mr. Das against taking decisions? I have much respect for the representatives of the U.S.A. They have come here. Mrs. Bean was not afraid to come here like Mr. Bob O’Leary.
Sri Steve Stanaway – I take offence at your saying that Mr. O’Leary was scared. He was not.
Sri Ben Bayer, Israel – Maybe that’s right.
Sri Marat Gusov – Mr. Bob O’Leary and Mrs. Bean were in the same situation. I am not blaming Bob O’Leary but stating something.
Sri Steve Stanaway – Are all countries scared?
Sri Marat Gusov – I am not blaming the General Sceretary , nor anyone else. The General Secretary said this Congress is legal.
General Secretary- I still maintain this is a legal Congress. I am still saying every proposal here will be included in the minutes and sent to all nations. I am a guest here and if Sri Marat Gusov feels I am going back on my word – please let everyone re-elect a new General Secretary. They are all independent. Let them do what they like. I’m happy.
Sri Gusov Marat – I have deep respect for you. But did you not say  that this Congress is legal?
General Secretary – Yes, I did, and it is. How many times do I have to repeat this ?
Israel – We hold a great Worlds here. The job Mr. Das is doing is great.  (The whole Congress applauds Mr. Das at this point). I reiterate this.  We never had 2/3 of WAF member nations present to change rules. We can all change this . Rules in the last 10 years are all wrong and we need to regress to the Constitution we had 10 years ago. So I propose that if 1/3 are present we can change rules.
Mrs. Karen Bean – How many member nations has WAF?
General Secretary – Nearly 70.
Mrs. Bean – Even then 1/3 is not present (because of war next door) as needed by WAF Constitution.
Dr. Milan Capla, Slovakia - I have attended all WAF competitions since 1994. I have never seen over 33 members present.
General Secretary – As I have said, we have regular members – many do not pay. Find out how many have not paid.  Mrs. Bean – They cannot vote.
General Secretary – At the time of the Cairo Worlds we had 54 members in WAF, some paid, some did not. In Cairo, we had 32 countries present. In India at the time of the Worlds we had 45 member nations and 28 present  at the Worlds.   I feel there is a language gap here. I respect what Europe says very much. Europe has been at the forefront of modern science. I respect the U.S.A. – they helped Europe in times of trouble.
Sri Steve Stanaway – And will do so again and again .
General Secretary – Asia and South America are sleeping giants which have just woken up.
Sri Steve Stanaway – In the United Nations each continent has only one member.
General Secretary – 1. I shall explain. Sri Steve Stanaway says that in the United Nations each continent has only 1 member.  2. The United Nations is run by the Security Council – China, Russia, U.S.A., France, United Kingdom, who have one vote each including power of veto each.  If Europe feels able tomorrow, let them give one leader who can represent Europe STRONGLY – why do they want two representatives?
Dr. Milan Capla – Problem is armsport, not Europe, America.
General Secretary – Very good point.
Dr. Capla – Time is short, competitors waiting. We are all for the competitors, not competitors for us.  I said often our Constitution is old – we need  new , modern, short,  a better Constitution.  I was surprised – I gave Mr. Barij Baran Das and Mr. Bob O’Leary my new Constitution for Europe – I worked on it for 1 year – I read the Constitutions of Football, Volleyball, Hockey, Tennis – maybe it would be good to follow their examples.
General Secretary – I propose – Sri Marat Gusov has given some suggestions as have other members – on reduction of weight classes and on Right Hand and Left Hand being combined – these should be put in our minutes, circulated to all members for a vote and we should now discuss quickly suggestions for improvement in armsport.   Arguments can go on. Dr. Capla has seen the Constituions of federations , so have I, including those of  Powerlifting and World Weightlifting. All good thick, big Constitutions. But I welcome suggestions.
Mrs. Karen Bean – Let us carry on to point 4 and I suggest everyone writes their suggestions to you, as  General Secretary and not discuss them here as time is too short.
Sri Vakhtang Museliani, Georgia – We have got together the best of countries – best in armsport because we all came here in difficult times.  (All present applaud).So I ask do we have any right to vote on any point?  (All present applaud). So I ask do we have any right to vote on any point?
General Secretary – Yes, as long as you do not break the Constitution.
Sri Steve Stanaway – Dr. Capla , you have read so many Constitutions how many of them give Europe 2 votes?
Sri Gusov Marat – We want to hear from representatives from all countries.
Mrs. Karen Bean – Let us carry on to point 4 and I suggest everyone writes their suggestions to you as General Secretary, as time is too short and not discuss them here .
Dr. Capla – I agree.
General Osman – On behalf of the African Armsport Federation, the Arab Armsport  Federation and the Egyptian Armsport Federation , I am very happy to be here , and grateful to Sri Marat Gusov , who is a very good host and organizer, from a great country.  Let us get on, the athletes are waiting.  About our Arabian Federation, I confirm we have now Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq, Jordan. As you know to form the African Federation is difficult. Now we have made a start and many new countrys will  join WAF.  As far as votes go, I also want votes for the African/Asian continent. Most Arab countries lie in Asia we must not speak of 2 or 3 votes – let us instead think of the Olympics. Let us get back to the athletes.
Sri Doron Kantor, Israel – We have waited all year for this meeting – let us sit tomorrow and discuss all this.
General Secretary – This meeting will not end if too much time is spent in raising points. I come from a very old country with ancient traditions . If all members want  by vote to put certain rules including 1 more representative for Europe, they are welcome to do so. This is an extraordinary meeting. That will become the official WAF minutes. I will sign that letter. But will you also accept if at the next Congress majority of  members throw all these votes out? If Europe wants, as they are in majority here, to pass all resolutions, I  will sign, but tell me if you are prepared to face the WAF vote at the next Congress on this issue. I shall give you 2 votes in Europe.  If at next year’s Congress say Europe-2, Asia-4, S. America-4, Africa-4, will you sign next year?   I give Sri Marat Gusov my word, I will sign , but at the next Congress will you sign what the majority wants? I give you 5 minutes. Now let’s proceed.
Dr. Milan Capla – Competitors are waiting. My proposal is this-
Sri Doron Kantor- Is right. We’ll go  now and meet later this evening.
Sri Marat Gusov – We are here to serve our sport, and our sportsmen must not suffer because of this. Let’s agree to cancel this meeting now and carry on tomorrow. But if we are authorized to take any decision, there are points on this agenda, to make armsport an Olympic sport. Let’s continue tomorrow.
General Secretary- I agree to all Sri Gusov’s proposals. It will all be in the minutes.
2.10.99 9.20 am
General Secretary-Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Let’s start. We’ve had a very successful championships. We still have a lot of work to do on the final day. I am afraid we cannot give more than 3 or 4 minutes to each speaker. We are taking notes of everything. Now the official agenda starts.
IV. What members have asked me to tell you:
Italy – Situation is that we have 2 groups, 1 old-AIBF , 1 new-SBFI,( who have come here). AIBF have not come here. 2 years ago the new group invited me to go there and study the situation of armsport in Italy. So I went there and saw some championships conducted by the new group who are now here, and which were very good. I also called the old group for a meeting and asked them why they had been inactive for three years. They said they had problems but would try to improve. So based on information both groups have sent sent me since then, I made comparisons between the 2 groups and sent them to all WAF Executive Members as well as to AIBF and SBFI.  As your General Secretary , I have to state that the facts are that the new group are definitely much more active, hold more championships, have come with a bigger team to Cairo (the older group had a smaller team in Cairo) and have come here, to Russia.   We told them to get together. They did not agree. So the WAF Executive Committee will have to decide very soon whom to recognize for Italy. This was decided in the Cairo Congress that the WAF Executive Committee would give them  both one more year and decide in 1999 who would be the WAF member for Italy.
Sri Vakhtang Museliani- Let us solve some questions if we have some rights.
General Secretary- All right.
Sri Marat Gusov- Yesterday we stopped at the point on voting whether our championships is legal or not. If yes- there will be questions. Then why do we start with Italy? In all Parliaments they work like that.  I wish to vote , on the Constitution , that there must be ½ the member countries to change it. In the last 10 years there were 23 countries. By the Constitution if we have 2 or 3 countries, it is an official Worlds.For the last 10 years I announced, some countries are only on paper. They do not go anywhere. Why should we count them in WAF? If we vote now about how legal is this championship, then?
General Secretary- Members, you have heard what Mr. Gusov has said.We have never had a WORLDs with 2 or 3 members.
Sri Gusov- No, no I only said maybe. We have never had over 30.
General Secretary- In Egypt we had 32.
Sri Gusov- 27 countries in Egypt. 5 observers.
General Secretary- As Egypt is absent at this moment  I cannot speak for him. We must be united and not state things not based on facts. We have several members who have financial problems and cannot always pay their dues. For example Bangladesh told me that because of massive floods they will be unable to pay their dues in 1999. With respect to all members, we do not publish a list of those who do not pay, but attend a Congress and vote as well. I will  now read the names of such countries who have not paid their membership/other dues this year.  Syria-joined, thanks to Russia. They have not paid their dues but have to considered as they are new.  Israel, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Georgia, Uzbekistan have not paid their dues. As per the Constitution and as per what Sri Marat says why are these countries voting?
Sri Gusov – We have to pay Entry Fees and will pay.
G.S.- True. I honour these countries very much. I do not make an issue . WAF is very fair. WE WILL NOT BE DICTATED TO. WE WILL GO BY THE CONSTITUTION. IF YOU CANNOT ABIDE BY THESE, YOU CANNOT BE WITH WAF.  I honour everybody. But let us be fair.
Sri Marat Gusov- We are not dictators. Because the President of WAF asked, I invited Georgia.
G.S.- Sure. We love Georgia. They are old friends.
Sri Gusov-Now we want to vote on how legal these championships are.
G.S.-I as G.S. do not try to find fault, about who has paid and who has not. We are all officials and this is an official championships. How many times do I repeat this is ALL official, both championships and Congress.
Sri Gusov. – Let us vote on it.
All raise hands. All agree.
G.S. – Shall I continue with the agenda or would someone else like to continue?
Sri Gusov- Please continue.
G.S.-From Kazakhstan, Sri Vladimir Drexler suggested ‘Ready-Don’t move-Go’.
Sri Gusov- If we do not pay Entry Fees how can we exist?Akhmedshin wants to prove that his is the legal WAF and that ours is not. We have to work together to make our WAF the strongest and an Olympic sport. Yesterday we stopped on some questions. Let us vote on them.
G.S.- Reference what Sri Gusov said, WAF needs money. I have never made an issue out of this. On the request of Sri Gusov I have named countries who have not paid. WAF NEEDS MONEY. We have some very poor countries.
Sri Pavel Zhivora – Yesterday we changed the agenda.
G.S. – This is the agenda.
Sri Pavel Zhivora – We should follow it.
G.S.-We are.
Sri Pavel Zhivora –If time is short let us solve the most important questions .
Dr. Capla-Let us start all over again from Point 1.
G.S.-But we have already carried throught the first few points.
Dr. Capla- Please carry on.
G.S.-Kazakhstan-
Sri Museliani-Ready-(Pause)-Go.
Dr. Capla-But Kazakhstan says’Don’t Move-Go’.
G.S.-SrI Museliani says ‘ Ready-Go’.
Mrs. Bean- We have a very serious language problem.It is very hard for many athletes to understand the referees. We  have to make it as simple as possible. ‘Ready-Go’ is simple.
G.S.-There are different proposals-‘Ready-Go’-resolution passed.
All raise hands and agree.
G.S.-Next item-Neutral referees for all matches. WAF referees are people we respect more than all else-Mr. Stanaway, Mrs. Bean, Mr. Chanda-we respect you very much- you are neutral. At times in WORLDs we have problems as very few referees come. For practical reasons we cannot always have neutral or side referees when 2 different countries are competing. Yesterday the athletes and referees may have been from same nations. If everybody can guarantee they will bring referees, we shall guarantee neutral referees.
Sri Bimal Chanda, India- Proposal- each country should bring two referees.
Dr. Capla-Each time when I am at a competition there are 4 referees.-that is enough. I propose 2 neutral referees.
Sri Stanaway-You are saying your referees will cheat because of bias towards own country.  In other sports, eg. Gymnastics, swimming etc. they have judges from their own countries- they are fair.
(Brazil comes in to meeting at 9.38)
G.S. –Do we vote on neutral referees?
(Sri F.J.Feliu, Spain, comes in at 9.39)
Mrs. Bean – In voting for neutral referees, everyone who has voted for it has insulted the official WAF referees. You are voting that they will not be fair.
Sri Stanaway- A European referee cannot referee an European match?
Proposal approved.
G.S.-Next point.
V.  BIDS FOR WAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Bids for World Armsport Championships in the years 2001, 2002, 2003. A bid means any country which wishes to hold one.  Ladies and gentlemen, the 2000 WORLDS will be held in the honoured member country U.S.A.
Mrs. Bean- Did all receive information about the U.S.A. Championships? Next year the World Championships will be from September 29 to October 6th in Virginia Beach, Virginia. We will follow all WAF Rules for Weigh-In, Registration, Score-Keeping, Congress and anything else WAF requires us to do. Any countries which may need special invitations for visas, information is there on the papers to contact me.  We are offering all WAF weight classes and categories with a special category of Ultra-Masters which will be for Men and Women 50 years of age and older.
Dr. Capla and Sri Gusov agree.
G.S.-So 2000 in the U.S.A.. Any country for 2001?
Sri H. Panzetti-Brazil.
G.S.-Licence Fee must be paid in advance. Brazil offers for 2001.
All raise hands and agree.
G.S.-2002 . No offers.
2003? Maybe Lithuania. Maybe Slovakia.
(Israel comes in at 9.55.)
G.S.- Next point is very important. You know that for any organization to operate we have to listen to Rules. Like any country we have to have laws and discipline.  Some countries have very unfortunately gone to championships not recognized by WAF. I request members’ suggestions on what to do in such cases.
Mrs. Bean-Are we discussing officials or federations?
G.S.-Federations.
Israel-I think we have to give them a chance till 31st December 1999.
Mrs. Bean-We did that last year.
G.S.- What’s Russia’s suggestion?
Sri Gusov- We cannot do that, eg. Georgia, America.
G.S. AND Mrs. Bean-We mean non-WAF events.
Sri Gusov-What about countries which never come to championships?
G.S.-We are not discussing that now. What we are discussing is what to do if federations go to non-WAF events, eg. Japan, Canada, Belarus .
Sri Gusov-Good.
G.S.-What should we do? Drop them from WAF after December 31 1999?
Dr. Capla-Wait one year from today.
Sri Gusov-We need to go carefully and take these countries in to WAF if they want to return to us.
Sri Stanaway-If we give these people too much time they grow bigger and stronger.
Sri Gusov-Let us make a Commission and we give time to the Commission to work with those countries and afterwards they can give their final decisions.
G.S.-Repeats Sri Gusov’s proposal. Everybody who will be in Japan will automatically be out from WAF.
Sri Museliani- Georgia will not go to Japan but if some of my athletes go what can I do?
G.S. and others-That’s alright.
Mrs. Bean-Last year we all voted to give such countries until 31.12.98 to state in writing that they were with us. Did any countries write to us at all?
G.S.-You did, India did.
Mrs. Bean- Then why are we waiting?
Israel-Maybe  they did not get the letter.
G.S.-No. Every letter goes by Registered Post.
G.S. –I shall decide as General Secretary. We shall vote. A)Those who feel we should wait one more year before taking action – it has disadvantages in that it allows the opposition to grow. B) Expel them from 31.12.99.  Please all vote now. 1)Anyone who goes to Tokyo is out of WAF.
Dr. Capla- Officials only?
G.S.-Yes. If any official member of WAF, eg. Mrs. Bean goes to Japan, is she to be expelled from WAF? Vote now.
All agree.
Israel- We give a chance until 31.12.99 to errant countries.
G.S.- Yes, all agree.  As far as defaulters are concerned we have nothing to discuss as this has already been discussed.
All agree.
VII.  PROPOSAL BY AFFILIATES
Proposal by AAA
Mrs. Bean- We shall not discus  this now, but write to the G.S. later.
WAF President’s proposal.
He has withdrawn it.
From U.S.A.- Withdrawn.
Dr. Capla-We have a proposal. 2 days ago we had an European Congress and spoke about weight categories. We had a big discussion, which resulted in various opinions.  For them to prepare this and then discuss this we will contact IOC and these questions will be discussed.
Sri F.J. Feliu- It is impossible to enter IOC. 1st we need to deal with GAISF, then IOC.
Sri Ben Bayer, Israel- It is only a proposal for the next WAF Congress so we have to accept it.
G.S.-Yes, we accept it as a proposal for this meeting.
Sri Gusov- If we discuss it for 10 minutes.
G.S.- Yes, discuss it all you like. But there are 2 points.
a) Sri O’Leary and I will visit GAISF and IOC Head offices this January if possible. Mrs. Karen Bean is already in contact with GAISF and IOC. We will discuss with them all proposals from the few WAF members present here and very many who could not come because of the war and monetary problems. So we shall take proposals from all and ask IOC their opinion. Instead of us telling them let them tell us.
Dr. Capla- I am 150 km from Budapest. I will be glad to discuss GAISF with Tamas Ajan of GAISF as we have waited many years. I have heard for many years that we are going but nothing has happened.
Mrs. Bean- You have said that IOC wants reduced weight classes. Have you this in writing?
Sri Gusov- They gave us no letter, only a consultation that we should reduce weight classes. Now for example, we ordered many medals. No Olympic Games will give so many medals. Many countries cannot bring many athletes. I suggest that in order that WAF does not lose any money, WAF increases the world championships Entry Fee and reduces weight categories.  How many years has the Israeli President been dealing with this GAISF matter? Our respected General Secretary could not visit GAISF in all these years and now he says again that he will visit GAISF?
G.S.- Two points here:  Respected EAF President and Slovakian President, Dr. Capla has offered to meet Dr. Tamas Ajan of GAISF as it is very near to him to dicuss this.  If the honourable member from Russia feels I have not been able to go to GAISF all these years and now am speaking of visiting GAISF, I shall be more than happy  if he will go to GAISF and IOC.
Sri Gusov- Let us solve 1 question. First solve the question of weight categories ourselves. Why go to GAISF and IOC?
G.S.- Fine. Let us vote right now.
Sri Bayer, Israel- Sri Gusov spoke of GAISF, so I have some information:
i) We have to accept this proposal.
On the other hand we had many meetings with Dr. Kim and Claude Schupp. I or Isaac Offen (President of Israeli Armsport), who is the former President of the Israeli Olympic Committee, had conference with GAISF in the last 4 years. There was a special meeting with Schupp, Ajan, Dr. Kim. In addition, Dr. Capla and I talked to Tamas Ajan 3 months ago. Mr. Das, Mr. O’Leary and Mrs. Bean also helped us very much. They said that most people in GAISF want to accept WAF but the President of GAISF (from Korea) thinks armsport is only for bars. So if anyone can help, please do so, and I  am sure we will be accepted in a couple of months.
G.S. – Let us vote on:
i) Olympic weight classes:  I suggest we have a Committee headed by Sri Gusov and with Dr. Capla and Sri Bayer in the Committee and they will very kindly within 3 years get us Olympic and GAISF recognition.
Sri Gusov-No, no, no.
G.S.-Reduced weight classes – raise hands for accepting this proposal.
Many raise hands.
Sri Gusov- And if we want to have right and left hands together, then we can have them in all national federations. We shall discus  this for 10 minutes with Mr. Das, Mr. Panzetti etc.
G.S.-Who wants to agree to vote on right and left hands together?  As a proposal only, right and left hands together is accepted.
Sri F.J. Feliu, Spain- Russians are professionals. IOC and GAISF do not accept amateurs and professionals together. Sri F.J. Feliu, Spain, exits from the WAF Congress.
Sri Gusov- We do not have professional. Professionalism in sports came to Russia from the U.S.A. in the  90’s.  Let us vote on reducing weight classes now and have these rules in the World championships in 2000.
Mrs. Bean- Objection. We bid based on weight categories of WAF in Egypt in 1998. We shall not change. You have not the right to vote on it. You do not have the authority. We have a signed contract with WAF.
Sri Gusov- We need to vote. Are you yourself against it
MRS. Bean- That has nothing to do with it. I shall honour the WAF contract.
G.S.-Yes, WAF will too.
Sri H. Panzetti, Brazil- From 2001, we shall do that.
Sri Gusov- For the last 5 years we have been saying this. National teams cannot bring so many people. It is better to increase the Entry Fees and reduce weight classes.
Mrs. Bean- Cannot Russia bring 30 athletes to Virginia Beach? We brought 30 to Russia. It costs us ALL money  But I have a contract with WAF which I shall not break, nor change the weight classes.
Sri Marat Gusov- 1 person cannot decide. We have to vote.
Mrs. Bean- No one can vote . They have no right to change the contract we have with WAF.
General Secretary– We shall fight them here, in Russian courts. Brazil, India, Mrs. Bean, Israel say we accept it for 2001. We are meeting Mr. Gusov half-way, if you do not meet us half-way, in Virginia Beach we will easily out-vote you throw out all your votes.
Sri Gusov- Accepted.
All agree. 2001.
G.S.- India withdraws proposal on Constituion.
Dr. Capla – 3 or 5 people we have prepared proposal
G.S.- Yes, 1 from each continent.
Sri Pavel Zhivora – let us return to point 3, vacancies on WAF Executive Committee.
G.S.-That discussion is complete. There are no vacancies on the WAF Executive Committee.
Sri Gusov- They are not complete.
G.S.- Yes they are. Because Mr. Bean, H.Panzetti and General Osman, Dr. Capla, Dr. Ajami,   I and Mr. Bob O’Leary are the WAF Executive Committee. There are no vacancies. We represent Asia, Africa, South America, North America, Australasia and Europe.
Meeting  concluded with approval of house and thanks.
Barij Baran Das
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