Parsons becomes Paralympic Committee president

Andrew Parsons from Brazil was elected as the new president of the International Paralympic Committee at the 18th IPC General Assembly in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

New Zealand's Duane Kale was elected as the vice-president of the committee.

Parsons won an absolute majority with 84 votes against Haidi Zhang of China (47 votes), John Petersson of Denmark (19) and Patrick Jarvis from Canada (12) out of 162 votes.

A delighted Parsons thanked the IPC membership for their trust and said the committee will now try and reach out to every single member in four corners of the world.

"I had incredible amount of votes, which shows the members support my ideas," said Parsons, who is only the third president of the IPC.

Looking ahead, he said: "Now it is time to roll up the sleeves and work really hard with the membership and the new Governing Board. Going forward the relationship with the IOC is going to be the key. We have some very important decisions ahead; sport is at a difficult moment at this time and we have many things in common that we have to fight for. It is fundamental that we work together, cooperate and I am sure we will do that."

Talking about his predecessor Sir Philip Craven, Parsons said: "Sir Philip is a legend, a mentor, an example and an absolute colossus, it's impossible to describe him with just words. I have very big shoes to fill but I think I learned a lot from him and I will try to pay tribute to him by following in his footsteps."

Meanwhile, Duane Kale became the vice-president after bagging 81 of total 160 votes, while John Petersson from Denmark got 79.

Kale was over the moon. "It is a little bit surreal but I am elated. It will take time to sink in. This has to be one of the most wonderful things to happen in my life. I am very emotional," he said.

He looked forward to teaming up with Parsons.

"I think we will make a fantastic team and I think that is important for the movement."
AL HEMELI ELECTED

Also, Mohammed Al Hemeli got elected as one of the 10 Members at Large of the IPC. There were six rounds of voting.

Chelsey Gotell, the IPC Athletes' council chairperson, who also forms part of the IPC Governing Board, believed the new team will work to ensure the IPC is an athlete-centred organisation and their voice is heard at the executive table.

The governing board will serve a four-year term as the next elections will be held in 2021. It will hold its first informal meeting on Saturday.

Source: Khaleej Times