“The badminton association is once again not honoring the agreements,” says Henk Palm of Smashing in Wychen, on behalf of six Top League associations. GeertJan Venekamp, director of the badminton association, disputes this and believes that an accusing finger is being pointed at the association very quickly.
Dear reader,
Sometimes as a journalist you come into contact with an issue that is actually impossible for an outsider to follow. Then you hear two stories – because we apply a fair hearing – and soon you can no longer make sense of it. Welcome to the Dutch badminton world!
A few months ago there was already war in the badminton world. Six clubs from the Topliga, BV Almere, BCR ’91, BV Slotermeer, BC Smashing, Van Zundert VELO and BV Van Zijderveld, then refused to play according to an adjusted competition program. That issue was finally put to rest at the end of October, saving the league.
However, the fire has now flared up again. The aforementioned six clubs now refuse to participate in the NBB Cup, the association’s annual cup tournament. The reason: “The association structurally does not fulfill its agreements,” said Henk Palm, of BC Smashing from Wijchen, one of the six clubs, and spokesperson on behalf of the six clubs. The agreements Palm is talking about concern the distribution of the prize money and the cancellation of the competition for third and fourth place. And the associations have not been informed about this.
NBB director Venekamp explains: “Last year, two clubs refused to play their match for third and fourth place, although this match was planned at the request of the associations. They simply shared the prize money. That is why we have now canceled that match and adjusted the prize money. The association does not want to run the risk of the same thing happening this year.”
Henk Palm: “But we had just agreed that the match would be played as usual from now on.” To add that the association has also failed to fulfill its agreements on another point. “Contrary to what the association promised in October, the association has fined three clubs. And this for a violation that was not committed. After all, the NBB itself had canceled the program for the weekend of October 13 and 14. This is also not the first time that the NBB has deviated from its own regulations.”
Geert Jan Venekamp: “The clubs have clearly indicated that they would not come. That was a choice. During the Association meeting, the board stated that this was a violation. The board subsequently made the principle of equality play a major role in the handling of the appeal. It is customary for teams that do not participate in the association competition to be fined. In addition, the conditional penalty of withdrawal has been maintained if it is repeated..”
Yes, but… that has nothing to do with the NBB cup, does it? Past and present play together. Is this a new conflict or is the old conflict flaring up again? Or, because it looks very much like that, is this an allergic reaction?
Venekamp finds this suggestion striking. “Nicely put. It does indeed look like an allergic reaction. The association board simply cannot do any good in the eyes of those six clubs.” Palm: “That’s not surprising, is it? Time and again, agreements are made, which are then violated by the union itself.” Palm then lists a whole list of examples that cannot be checked by a journalist, but according to Palm are recorded in letters and extensive email traffic. The journalist therefore takes a different tack. Because why, according to Palm, would the union not adhere to agreements? “Arrogance, conflict of interest and lust for power,” thinks Palm. “Some association directors and the national coach have been at the helm for a long time!”
Venekamp responds that there are sometimes conflicting interests, also between associations, and the board must then make a decision. There is no conscious intention not to fulfill agreements made.
So it’s time for a refresh? Palm: “In any case, it is time for something to happen. The membership of the association is declining sharply. Far too little is being done for the recreational badminton player. Also, too little is being invested in the talented youth (the group under the national selections). A number of directors are not strong enough, others have too many hats on their heads. This creates a conflict of interest.”
Venekamp responds laconically: “We have deliberately hired external help to solve the problems surrounding the Topliga (the highest badminton competition in the Netherlands – ed.) once and for all. These people map out the mutual relationships so that fruitful consultation can take place. All parties can play an equal and constructive role in this. Constructive criticism of other policies of the association is always welcome, but I do point out that this policy is based on the opinions of associations and with the approval of the Federal Meeting is carried out.
Palm: “Yes, but those mediators report to the association board, without it being determined in advance what the association board will do with the results.” So they could end up in a drawer. Or in the paper shredder. Palm: “Exactly! Because we expect that their conclusions could be very painful. In any case, we will also propose a new competition structure ourselves. With more clubs. We will also involve the clubs from the first division.” So a coupe is in preparation? Palm: “No, certainly not, that is not our goal. What we are aiming for is first and foremost open, honest and reliable communication. Take each other seriously, keep your agreements and stick to your regulations. But above all, ensure that the competition is structured in such a way that the Topliga once again becomes the showpiece of the NBB and the media becomes interested in the game. We are also in favor of enough room to allow selection players to participate in tournaments. But an important requirement is that the national coach consults with the associations about participation. of players to tournaments. Now there is no form of consultation.”
Anyway, reader, the reason for this piece was the press release from six associations that they will not compete for the NBB cup. In the end it turns out that there is still a lot of old pain. An impossible task to sort it all out. We wish badminton much strength and wisdom!
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