Two terms and out for sporting organisation Presidents in Brazil
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
September 18 -
A bill limiting the length of time an individual can hold the Presidency of a publicly funded sporting organisation to a maximum of two terms has been passed by the Chamber of Representatives in the Brazilian Senate.The new legislation, which is expected to be ratified and signed into law by Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff in the coming days, follows ongoing allegations that many of those at the top of national sporting organisations in the country use financial muscle and influence to remain in power.
As well as restricting the Presidency of these federations to a maximum of two four-year terms, the bill has also called for greater transparency in terms of publishing financial accounts and wants athletes to be consulted in developing policies and in the decision-making process.
One of the main federations that will be affected by the new legislation will be the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) headed by Carlos Nuzman, who is also in charge of Rio 2016.
Dilma Rousseff is expected to ratify the new legislation that was passedby the country's Senate
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and former professional volleyball player Nuzman, who was the head of the successful Rio 2016 bid when the city was awarded the Games in 2009, has been President of the COB since 1995 but his re-elections to the post have been the subject of criticism and suspicion.
Preparations for Rio 2016 have been dogged by fears over time delays and infrastructure problems, with IOC Coordination Commission chair Nawal El Moutawakel warning in February this year that the Games' Organising Committee needs to "stay vigilant" and speed up work on the Olympic Parks in Deodoro and Barra da Tijuca, as well meeting its target of providing 27,800 hotel rooms.
Around the same time, construction workers, working at the iconic Maracanã Stadium which is due to host a number of games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup - including the final - as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games two years later, downed their tools and threatened to go on strike over demands for wage increases and health insurance for their families.
Ricardo Teixeira (left) was the subject of numerous allegations of corruption during his 23 years in charge of the Brazilian Football Confederation
While the new laws only apply to federations that receive public funding, the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) - which is privately funded in the main - will still be subject to the rules regarding greater transparency as it receives tax exemptions from the Government.
In March last year, Ricardo Teixeira left his role as President of the CBF after more than 23 years in charge, claiming it was for health reasons but his tenure had been scarred by allegations of corruption including money laundering, tax evasion and taking bribes.
The introduction of the new law has been welcomed by some of Brazil's sporting stars, including former international football player Raí, who said: "Sport should be an example of modernity, transparency and professionalism.
"The approval of this law is vital if we are to come up with public policies for sport."