Asian Sailing takes historic pledge to ban single use plastic at sailing events

Seated from (Left to Right) Kim Anderson, President World Sailing, Dr Malav Shroff, President ASAF, Haider Farman, Director of Asian Games, Olympic Council of Asia and Rashid Al Kindi, Vice President ASAF © Asian Sailing Federation

The Annual General Meeting of the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF), concluded at the Millennium Resort, Mussanah Oman on 5th Oct 2019 under the theme "Let us Act".

The President of World Sailing Mr. Kim Andersen, the Director of the Asian Games of the Olympic Council of Asia, Mr. Haider Farman and President of the International Optimist Dinghy Association, Mr. Kevin Whitcraft were present along with members of over 22 Asian MNAs at this meeting.

The meeting unanimously approved a pledge to ban all single use plastic from the Sailing events in Asia and in particular at the Asian Games 2022. The AGM, also approved that the Sailing Instructions would include an "Standard Penalty" for any infringement. With such an historic decision, the ASAF shall be the first federation to officially implement such a ban and hopes that other sports bodies would also work to adopt a similar policy in future to protect the environment.

Dr Malav Shroff, the President, Asian Sailing Federation, commented that, "Sailing was a clean sport and it was important that we play our part in conservation of our environment. This will hopefully set a benchmark in sports. Polluting environment we feel is a serous issue. We are glad that the President World Sailing shares this view."

Kim Anderson, the President, World Sailing in his address to the members, highlighted the details of the Governance Commission proposals which would be voted at the forthcoming World Sailing Annual Conference at Bermuda later this month. Addressing those present, he stated that, "the reform sets out to bring the World Sailing Governance structure up to date, we have a genuine opportunity to shape the future, we are guardians of our sport and we have a duty to leave it in a better place than we found it".

He brought out, that the World Sailing had a Board meeting in mid-September and the Board had approved a number of changes to the original Governance Proposal, which was published on 3 May 2019, following the recommendations of the Governance Commission. He pointed out that the MNAs needed to examine the newer Proposal and added that he was look forward to further discussion at the Annual Conference in Bermuda ahead of the final decision, and in the meantime, if there was any further feedback, the members should not hesitate contact him.

Addressing the members of the ASAF, Mr Haider Farman, Director of Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia brought out that he was indeed very happy to be present at the AGM and expressed his happiness at the rapid pace at which the sport of sailing had been growing in the region. He stated that, "in the recent past, misleading information had been relayed to the OCA, especially concerning the events at the Asian Games. The OCA Board had in detail examined the issues and had decided that in the future the events at the Asian Games would not include any age restricted events would replicate those competed at the Olympic Games".

He further added that, "the OCA was fully supportive of promoting the sport of sailing in Asia and especially the youth and would ensure inclusion of age restricted events at the proposed Asian Youth Games. In addition, the OCA would also assist in conduct of a Coach Development Clinic each year in Asia at which two sailors and one coach from each of the Asian MNAs would be invited to attend and further improve their knowledge".

Some other key decisions taken that shall go a long way in taking the sport of Sailing to its Zenith in Asia included an "Partnership Agreement" between ASAF and the IODA for developing youth sailing in Asia through various coach and sailor development clinics. In addition, the first set of Asian Technical Officers were awarded their certificates. Another important decision was to promote the "Race Officials Exchange Program" with EUROSAF based on their request. The two organisations will work together to invite race officials from Asia and Europe to key events for rapid exchange of knowledge and promote understanding of diverse cultures of both the continents.

UAE presented its proposal to host the next AGM on 15 March 2020 at Abu Dhabi, UAE to coincide with the ASAF Asian Championships 2020, which is also the continental qualification event for Laser Standard, Laser Radial, RS:X Men and Women and the 49er.

The President ASAF thanked Oman Sail for the hospitality extended and also for the fantastic performance of the Omani youth sailors at the ongoing optimist Asian Championships. Oman won its first ever podium finish at an open Asian Sailing event, winning a silver in the Optimist Team Racing Championship, announcing the arrival of a new force in the sailing world.

The meeting concluded with a renewed agreement to growt the sport amongst the youth and to achieve gender equity at Asian events.