Mexican Archery Federation Regains Recognition After Controversial Suspension
The Mexican Archery Federation (Femeta) is set to reclaim its authority as the governing body for archery in Mexico,following a period of turmoil and suspension. This comes just days before Ana Gabriela Guevara’s tenure as head of the National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport (Conade) concludes.Femeta’s reinstatement was confirmed after World Archery, the international governing body for archery, officially recognized the federation once again. This decision was bolstered by the support of the Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) and the Mexican Sports Confederation (Codeme), solidifying Femeta’s position as the legitimate representative of Mexican archery.
The federation’s president, Ernesto Alejandro Lugo Sánchez, expressed relief and optimism in a statement, emphasizing the restoration of harmony, certainty, and credibility to the organization. he highlighted that femeta was denied a fair opportunity to defend itself during the suspension and that legal processes have now cleared the way for its return.
The controversy began in July 2023 when Guevara,acting as Conade director,requested World archery to de-recognize Femeta. This move led to the establishment of a Transition Committee, composed of Conade and COM officials, to oversee the selection process for the Paris 2024 olympics. Despite this intervention, Mexico’s women’s archery team secured a bronze medal at the Games.
Lugo Sánchez alleges that Conade’s involvement was marked by unfounded accusations, false testimonies, and incomplete information provided to World Archery, ultimately leading to Femeta’s de-recognition. He specifically cites two instances where Guevara allegedly spread misinformation: claiming that former Femeta president Effy Sánchez was incarcerated and asserting the existence of a tax liability that rendered the federation inoperable.
In february 2024, representatives from state archery associations sent a letter to World Archery, accompanied by evidence that exposed the alleged abuses committed by the Transition Committee. They condemned the exploitation of Femeta’s situation to usurp its authority and pledged to collaborate with relevant organizations for future selection processes.
With world Archery’s decision, Femeta, along with its affiliated associations and clubs, will regain official recognition. The expectation is that the Transition Committee, comprised of retired archers Luis Eduardo Vélez and Juan René Serrano, as well as Guevara’s collaborator Norma Olivia González, will be dissolved. This will pave the way for Femeta’s members to hold elections and establish a new governing council.
A Contested Target: Inside the Mexican Archery Federation Controversy
The world of competitive archery is all about precision, focus, and unwavering stability. Unfortunately, these qualities seemed sorely lacking when it came to the governing body of the sport in Mexico. After months of turmoil and suspension, the Mexican Archery Federation (Femeta) has finally regained its recognition, but the controversy surrounding its removal and reinstatement raises serious questions about clarity and due process in Mexican sports.
To delve deeper into this complex situation, we’ve invited a legend of Mexican archery, three-time Olympian and former world champion, Mariana Avitia, to share her insights.
Moderator: Mariana, thank you for joining us. For those unfamiliar with the saga, can you provide a brief overview of what transpired?
Mariana Avitia: Thanks for having me. Basically,the Mexican Archery Federation was suspended in July 2023. This came as a shock to many of us in the archery community. The head of Conade [National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport], Ana Gabriela Guevara, requested the suspension from World Archery, citing various issues within Femeta. A Transition Committee was then established to oversee the selection process for the Paris 2024 Olympics while Femeta was sidelined.
Moderator: And this happened just before the Paris olympics qualification.what impact did this upheaval have on Mexican archers preparing for such a crucial event?
Mariana Avitia: It created immense uncertainty and anxiety.Imagine trying to focus on peak performance when the association responsible for your training, funding, and ultimately your selection for the Olympics is embroiled in a public and highly publicized controversy. It was incredibly distracting and demoralizing for the athletes, especially those aiming for Olympic qualification.
Moderator: Despite these challenges, the women’s archery team managed to secure a bronze medal at the Games. What message does that send?
Mariana Avitia: It speaks volumes about the resilience and talent of our athletes.They persevered despite the distractions and political turmoil,proving once again that they are world-class competitors.
Moderator: the reinstatement of Femeta seems to indicate that Conade’s accusations were unfounded. What are your thoughts on the way this situation was handled?
Mariana Avitia: This situation raises serious concerns about transparency and due process. From what I understand, Femeta was not given a fair chance to defend itself against the accusations. accusations were made publicly, data seemed to be cherry-picked, and ultimately, accusations were made without proper examination. This sets a risky precedent for the future of Mexican sports governance.
Moderator: What does Femeta need to do now to regain the trust of athletes and the wider sporting community?
Mariana Avitia: Transparency and accountability are paramount. They need to openly communicate their plans moving forward, address the concerns raised during the suspension, and ensure fair and equitable representation for all athletes. They need to ensure a future focused on providing the best possible conditions for athletes to excel.
Moderator: Many are calling for an investigation into Conade’s role in this whole affair.Do you agree?
Mariana Avitia: Absolutely. Given the gravity of the accusations and the impact on athletes’ careers, a thorough and impartial investigation is crucial. We need to understand what happened, why it happened, and how to prevent similar situations in the future.
Moderator: Mariana, thank you for your candid and insightful remarks. This situation highlights the often-overlooked complexities behind the scenes of competitive sports.
Mariana avitia: Thank you for having me. I hope this conversation sparks further discussion and ultimately leads to positive changes within Mexican sports governance.
Let us know your thoughts on this controversial situation. Did Femeta deserve to be reinstated? Was Conade justified in its actions? Share your opinions in the comments below!
