Hello all, it is interesting to read the discussion here, and I agree that the finswimming thread in interesting. At the moment the world underwater hockey commission is having disciplinary action taken against it by CMAS, for what, we are not quite sure yet but as far as CMAS is concerned they wouldn't like the facts getting in the way of a good witch hunt. Personally i think it is because we have stood up to the dictatorial way they run things and told them that we do not agree with the timing of the Bari Comp. Right from the onset of discussions anout a world games we have said we would support it if it wqas done in 2010'


Your Commission is not supprting something where no world hockey federations have had input into. It is fine for them to say that our worlds will be in Bari but it will be my responsability to organise it. I have had a key role in organising 6 world championships and believe me I know what is required, there is not even a hockey club in Bari to help out.

The pool slopes where the walls meet the bottom meaning that walls have to be built for the entire court, we have to get a sounding and scoring system there, there has been no discussion on how teams qualify or who can enter. There has been no discussion on what happens to the juniors or masters comp as these divisions are not welcome in Bari, we need good referees but they are not offering any support to get them there.

We have tried on numerous ocassions to get CMAS to the table to talk to us, we are willing to make compramises but to compramise you need 2 parties and so far we are only one. If those who are at the top wont talk then it is impossible to move forward.

A constitution for a new world body is being circulated at the moment as it looks as we have reached a point of no return with CMAS. The Bari games are destined for failure, I do not see them becoming a European championship for the reasons I have mentioned above, why should the Europeans be made to have a sub standard comp.

The possible new world organisation will possibly be called the world aqua challenge association and the reason for the name change away from underwater hockey is to stop litigation from CMAS and also to minimise the retubution CMAS will take against the other sports that our federations run under the CMAS banner.

A split away from CMAS will have an initial cost to our sport but the commission feels that in the long run we will be better off with people, who actually know our sport making the decisions for our sport, rather that a group of hidden European divers who have no knowledge of our sport and frankly only care about power at any cost.

If you want any info on what is happening please feel free to contact me.

Cheers