It has already been a few weeks since the irregularities in the Olympic Handball Ireland Association, were exposed. However, no action has been taken by anyone. We have tried to talk with people from Sport Ireland, contacted the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, message that was transfered to the Minister of State for Sport's Office in Ireland, and sought clarification from individuals from the IHF, EHF, and even the OHI itself, but it seems a bit difficult to get responses.
From some of the club members, we have only received information that they are discussing the situation among themselves and that are waiting for the secretary’s announcement for the promised meeting with the board. A meeting that is having the hopes to allow them to submit nominations for the positions that were not up for re-election every 3 years, as stated in the constitution. And here we are already talking about the president, technical director, secretary, and ordinary board member—positions that we know for sure have not been up for re-election as was suposed to be, at least starting with 2017.
While our concerns have often been ignored, we have received two responses that we’d like to share with you today.
The first one comes from Mr. Darragh Hogan, that talked on behalf of Mr Thomas Byrne, the Minister of State for Sport’s Office from Ireland.
“Thank you for your email regarding your concerns over the governance procedures of Olympic Handball Ireland.
All National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs), including Olympic Handball Ireland, are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance procedures. The Minister has no role in these matters for any sport, and it would not be appropriate for him to intervene.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by this Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. It also has responsibility for governance oversight of NGBs. Enquiries have been made with Sport Ireland and they have advised that they received similar correspondence and are raising the issues with the National Governing Body directly.”
While the Minister can't directly solve the OHI's problems created, it's worth asking if Sport Ireland, which gets money from the Minister and helps develop sports in Ireland, should handle this situation alone.
The Minister supports rules about transparency, accountability, ethical conduct, financial management, and compliance to relevant laws and regulations. So, it's important to think about how the situation of the Olympic Handball Ireland fits with these rules set by the Minister himself.
Based on the government policies about sport organizations, is that the Minister cares about making sure sports groups are run well, and with that comes the question, why are regulations set by the Minister if there isn't a coordinated effort to ensure their implementation together with Sport Ireland?
It's crucial to recognize that without effective collaboration between the Minister and Sport Ireland, there's a risk that the issues within the OHI may not be addressed adequately, potentially undermining the trust and credibility of sports organizations.
The second answer we got comes from Mr. Thomas Schöneich, the Director of Media & Communications at the EHF.
“Thanks for your message.
I have been reading the articles on your website and believe that you have already been provided with proficient answers to your questions.
The EHF has full trust in the actions taken by the Irish federation. Beyond that, we cannot comment further on internal proceedings.”
While the answer we received from the Minister of State for Sport of Ireland gives detailed explainations, the second response from the European Handball Federation's Director of Media and Communications raises more questions than the actual issue we brought to them.
To be more detailed. The fact that the articles published so far with proves and the reality of the Olympic Handball Ireland, is not considered as a major problem as the EHF correspondent believes that I “have been provided with proficient answers to” my “questions”. What is even more surprising is that this confirmation from his part is considered as “answers to myself”, not creating not even the smaller interest to know what is happening to the members of the Irish Handball that kept the sport alive throughout the years with such challenges and even more that cannot be named yet.
What comes next and even more astonishing is the affirmation “The EHF has full trust in the actions taken by the Irish federation.”
As there is no willingness to give more explanation to the decition taken of the OHI situation, we ask publicly now. EHF, why do you continue to express "full trust" in these individuals despite the repeated and significant violations that have been brought to your attention? Does your trust overlook or disregard legal obligations?
We are wondering, how can that be possible when there was not even the minimum interest to analyse the serosity of the situation that the Irish clubs and members had to face for years?
What are the responsibilities of the European Handball Federation towards a country member of its federation where the still active president has been taken the position within the organization illegally, signs and represents Ireland illegally and besides that, is accepted by European Handball Federation itself to be part of the EHF Nations Committee Men development? How was he chosen for such a position to create plans for development? Were the plans and actions taken during his presidency in Ireland since 2008 thoroughly evaluated as proof of his qualifications? For that, we, the Irish handball community, can provide examples of what has been done so far, not the Irish board. As the saying goes, if you want to know how the boss is doing his job, don't ask the boss, but its people.
Perhaps one might argue, “Well, EHF have stated they cannot comment further on internal proceedings.” But if that was the case, how could full trust be placed from EHF in the Olympic Handball Ireland situation where evidence has been publicly presented? Doesn't this appear to be negligence, complicity, or turning a blind eye to wrongdoing? Does it not suggest a failure to fulfil their duty to address misconduct and sustain the principles of fairness and integrity?
For many years, the state of handball in Ireland has not been adequately monitored, despite OHI receiving funds for the sport's development. Following COVID, school activities should not be used to cover up the actions and inactions since 2008 that have negatively impacted clubs, schools, members, and the management of the board.
During the past years, numerous issues have persisted where the club numbers decreased from 12 to only 4 men’s teams that can compete in the Irish league and 5 in the women’s side, when back in the early 2000's existed junior league and clubs across the country.
Back in 2011, Andrea Ongaro, that currently holds 3 board position in OHI as Technical Director for the last 12 years, Head of Coaches and Head of Referees, besides being the co-founder of Astra club, president and women’s coach of his own club too, expressed some concerns in his own personal handball blog called “The Irish Handball Discussion Site: Organizes, runs, and hosts chats about Handball life in Ireland” when at that time, people dared to talk and express freely their opinion.
His concerns were explicitly explained, a statement that we have heard from some of the members already who were involved during that time, and that seems that lasted until COVID came. We advise you to read all the details of its statement carefully.
His online activity on his blog ran until January 2012 only because after some time, he became a board member of the OHI until today.
Andrea's statements and information from 2011 when OHI was called IOHA, clearly describe the actual situation of that time. Back then, he seemed like a passionate handball lover who was very concerned. We wonder if that was still the case once he got the position in the OHI.
Given these circumstances, what has the Minister of Sport, Sport Ireland and European Handball Federation done then, and what is it doing now when the whole sport is shaking, and members are looking forward for help, for the board change, for transparency and fairness?
Would we have to face all these issues by ourselves when the board members keep their position in the OHI and inside EHF?
Returning to the present response from the EHF Media and Communication representative, we must mention that there was no willingness to provide us with explanations regarding the trust shown, nor were any other details provided regarding how this decision was made, even so we asked clarifications. While our request to have a discussion on a different subject that we were planning to analyse and write about has been left aside for 4 months now, when we presented the OHI irregularities, we got an answer on the same day in only a few sencences as you could see it above.
We continue to question whether there is a promotion of fairness, transparency in sport, and clear information based on research and evidence.
The responses received so far from both the Minister of State for Sport's Office and the European Handball Federation doesn't come with any solutions. While the Minister emphasized the autonomy of NGBs and Sport Ireland's role in governance oversight that did not prove it so far and its decition to stay aside, the EHF expressed full trust in OHI's actions without delving into the specifics of the situation and without taking in consideration the need for further investigation and action.
We should prioritize fairness and honesty above everything else. But at the same time, we shouldn't forget that Ireland, as a developing nation in handball, has its own unique challenges made by human decisions. However, this doesn't mean we lack opportunities to grow and improve or skilful people, just like other developing nations have done. There are reasons behind all these results that are not considered significant by many handball organizations and nations.
We urge the Minister of Sport to cooperate with Sport Ireland as is requered, and EHF and IHF to take position and to engage in open dialogue to the Irish Handball community. To delve deeply into the matter, thorough investigations into the governance issues within OHI, and work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure the future sustainability and growth of handball in Ireland.
In such situation it needs to take positions from all sides to work towards better outcomes for all the handball members who spend money, time and that made and are making sacrifices for years for this sport in Ireland.
Are we asking for more than we should?
We want to make one thing clear: We're simply requesting action. The course of Irish handball, which has been stagnant for far too long, has the possibility to change now. We're asking for clear involvement in helping to make things better, as it is expected for an emerging nation and as a National Goverrning Body, offer help and get involved.
Are our expectations too daring? I already have my “proficient answer” prepared, as it was previously stated this way. We are all equal, irrespective of our positions. Asking for transparency and involvement in a systemic issue that you, as a person in a high position, are having, is simply a right – an equal right that should be considered by everyone without being perceived in any way, but looking for justice and taking responsibility for the positions held.
The Irish community is hoping for better outcomes, and with that, comes the involvement of the higher organizations.
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