THE CROWN AFTER THE KING: There is distrust in the union in the movement. There is a clientelism of huge proportions. I’ll change that, says Hasek

Why did you decide to run and why should delegates vote for you?

I decided for one reason only and that I want to improve Czech hockey so that we can drive medals from junior and senior championships again. One can’t do much without the other. And why should they vote for me? Because of all the candidates, I am the one who has the greatest potential to do what I am talking about. That’s how I feel. At the same time, I want to work well for women’s hockey.

However, you do not have a career. Do you think it can hurt the delegates?

Yes, it’s a handicap. But I have more advantages, which I compensate for this – let’s say a shortcoming. I will go to this job with a commitment that will captivate others as well. I can squeeze more from the people I work with and together we will be a better team with better results.

You and Alois Hadamczik can be seen as the opposite of the current hockey government. What exactly would you like to change as the new president of the union and how?

I don’t put myself as a counterpart, but of course I want a drastic change in the thinking of the people above. There is a huge mistrust in the leadership of the hockey movement and this needs to change. Clientelism has reached unacceptable proportions there. All the lower competitions, including the youth competitions, feel that no one represents them there and that they are just a burden for the union. However, the truth is that without them, hockey would not have been here for a long time.

What exactly does clientelism mean?

Everyone feels that there are people who have no longer worked in friendly entities. There is even a joke about this in the movement. There are behind-the-scenes deals that most people in the hockey movement disagree with.

Why do you think it is not possible to educate successful players and how to change it?

It’s just a mistake of us adults. We have not yet been able to pass on what previous generations of hockey players have passed on to us. It starts with the youngest children, ie from quality recruitment. Then you need a lot of passionate coaches at the student age. And for the junior and junior, there are educated coaches who, if possible, also played hockey at a higher level. That is the most important thing.

The ticking bomb seems to be energy prices, which smaller clubs in particular can destroy. The National Sports Agency failed to convince the Minister of Finance to increase the subsidy for the Operation and Maintenance program. How would you, as president, help these endangered clubs?

Yes, I have this as the very first and most important point in my program. Sports subsidies are absolutely ridiculous! On a European scale, we are somewhere on the tail. If elected, I will “start” this month for the government and I will ask for compensation for the jump in energy prices. And I won’t give them peace before I get her. Children and young people do not deserve to end the sport they love because of this crisis. However, under current conditions, we do not know whether all stadiums will be open in the autumn

How to secure more money for hockey in general?

I certainly expect higher revenues from marketing rights from 2024. Then there will also be the World Championships in Prague and Ostrava (2024) and it is our duty to prepare it excellently socially and sportsily. So that we end up in a quality financial gain. However, I consider the need for the establishment of the Ministry of Sports and a drastic increase in subsidies for sports, especially for children and young people, to be the most important. I will not ask the ministry for anything for adults, not for professional sports at all. But children deserve so much more. It is time.

Are there any union projects that you would cancel?

After taking office, I will get to know them exactly and only then will I make a fundamental decision. And I don’t want anyone to be favored in any way in any competition, including youth competitions. It never does any good.

Libor Zábranský recently described for Sport.cz how he would like to connect the national teams from the coaching point of view. For the U16 coach to work for U18. For the senior national team, the assistant would be the U20 coach. What do you think?

This is not a bad idea and I even have a brief outline in my program. Of course, this only applies if the coach is respected and has results.

Should Milan Hnilička, a man who has not been accused of anything, let alone convicted, work at the union, but the NSA audit pointed out a number of mistakes during its leadership?

I did not like some of Milan’s steps and I publicly criticized him and them for them. However, if he can negotiate money for young people, I will not say goodbye to him. But personnel audit is one of the things I think about when joining a union.

Should there be a draw, direct procedures or relegation or close the highest competition between the extra league and the 1st league, or other competitions?

I am clearly in favor of direct procedures and descents. In adolescent and junior categories in greater numbers than is now in adults.

How do you look at table severance pay?

In terms of education, this is also one of the priorities of my program. If I am elected, I want to prove within a year with the entire hockey movement in cooperation that the educational will be agreed and therefore accepted.

If you do not advance to the second round of elections, are you ready to express support to any of the candidates?