Ο πρόεδρος της IFAA σε συνεννόηση με την Αγγλική Ομοσπονδία Τοξοβολίας Πεδίου (ΕΦΑΑ) ανακοίνωσε εχθές ότι οι διοργανωτές του WIAC2021 δεν είναι σε θέση προβούν στις κατάλληλες ενέργειες για την άρτια και ασφαλή τέλεση της διοργάνωσης δεδομένων των αυστηρών πρωτοκόλλων και των ταξιδιωτικών περιορισμών που έχει επιβάλει η βρετανική κυβέρνηση. Η συνεχιζόμενη αβεβαιότητα οδήγησε τους διοργανωτές να μην αναλάβουν ένα ρίσκο που, σε περίπτωση που τα πράγματα χειροτερέψουν, θα έχει πολύ σοβαρό οικονομικό και κοινωνικό αντίκτυπο.
H δήλωση του προέδρου της IFAA:
Dear IFAA archers,
The WIAC 2021 is scheduled to be hosted over 15-20 February 2021 at Medway Park in England, about six months from the date of this notice.
The current situation in England regarding COVID 19 is fluctuating whereby the virus is heightened in various areas of the country and with very little notice (less than 24 hours) these “hot spots” are being locked down by the Government and local authorities.
The virus is showing no signs of burning out and is indeed expected to increase in numbers and severity as the winter influenza season arrives.
The Government has also introduced quarantine for travellers from various countries, again this is not consistent, and changes as other countries are experiencing second and third waves of the virus. It could not therefore be guaranteed that archers travelling to the event would not have to quarantine in a hotel, unable to leave for two weeks on arrival in England.
The Governments social distancing regulations are changing as the pandemic changes and there are limits to the numbers of people that can meet and gather, whilst this number had increased initially it has again be decreased as there has been a further spike in the virus.
The IFAA Executive Council and the Host of the Championships, the English Field Archery Association (EFAA) have been placed in a situation where we now either plan to continue to run the event over advertised days or we cancel/postpone the tournament.
The current regulations would require very small numbers to participate at any one time, resulting in the event being required to run over weeks not days which would not be possible for the officials to undertake. The IFAA and the organisers do not have the capacity and/or sufficient trained/qualified resources to assure “social distancing” as well as other safety aspects during the tournament that will be imposed by the UK government, especially during the bow inspection, opening ceremony and closing ceremony.
The ceremonies would have to be cancelled and medals would have to be sent by mail.
Also a great financial loss to the Host and the IFAA cannot be excluded.
The IFAA Executive Council therefore has decided to cancel the WIAC 2021.
The WIAC 2023 will now be organised by the English Field Archery Association (EFAA) in lieu of the cancelled WIAC 2021 at a place and time later to be agreed by the IFAA and EFAA.
The WIAC 2023 will be organised by the same team that planned the WIAC 2021.
Archers who have already registered and paid for the registration fees, banquet and/or tournament memorabilia may choose either to:
1. Transfer the registration fees paid for the WIAC 2021 to the WIAC 2023 account and attend the WIAC 2023 at no additional costs.
2. Request a refund of the WIAC 2021 fees from the organisers, in which case you will be refunded your payment and your name will be deleted from the 2023 registration list. Bank charges may be applicable, depending on bank and nation from where the money was paid in.
We ask that you visit the WIAC 2021 website or contact the EFAA to make contact with the organisers and let your decision be known so that final arrangements can be made.
Thanks,
IFAA Executive Council
https://avarisarchery.gr/
