Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of the UAE prime minister ruler of Dubai, has confirmed that she will step down at the end of her current term as International Equestrian Federation (FEI) president.
When elected in 2006, Al Hussein proposed to limit FEI presidency terms to two four-year stints, which was then adopted into the FEI statutes. Despite some of the governing body’s members wanting to amend the limit to further her presidency, Al Hussein has agreed to abide by the rule and step down in November next year.
She said: “Whilst I very much appreciate and am honoured by efforts of the FEI regional group chairpersons and the national federations to amend the FEI statutes to permit me, or any FEI president to seek a third term, my views on the benefits of a two-term limit have not changed since the day I was elected. I love being FEI president. I am passionate about the work and our sport. I love the people I work with at the national federations and at headquarters.
“However, I cannot in good conscience put aside my beliefs and the commitment I made seven years ago now that the term limit I supported applies to me. I am deeply grateful to all the national federations that favour changing the statutes to allow me a third term. I am confident they will understand why I feel I must keep my word when my current term ends next year.”
