World Boccia faces a very competitive election at next week’s General Assembly in Seoul after 12 candidates were confirmed for four board positions.
The election, to be held on August 26 during the World Boccia Championships, will be the first conducted under recently approved governance reforms designed to strengthen accountability, gender diversity and the representation of athletes.
Four women and two men are competing for the newly created Vice-President positions, with the successful candidates required to be of different genders.
The four female candidates are: Martina Kubalikova (Czech Republic), Marta Sofia Luis de Mascarenhas (Portugal), Elsa Matthee (South Africa) and Diana Marcela Ortiz Acevedo (Colombia), while Erinaldo Batista das Chagas (Brazil) and Richard Boele (Australia) are the male candidates.
There are also two vacancies for Members at Large, contested by Mohsen Al Ismail (Saudi Arabia), Itzik Azoulay (Israel), Rachel Batty (New Zealand), Richard Boele (Australia), John D Kemp (USA), Martina Kubalikova (Czech Republic), Wai Ki “Ricky” Lau (Hong Kong), José Malo (Canada), Elsa Matthee (South Africa) and Ortiz Acevedo (Colombia).
World Boccia President Jon Morgan said: “It is particularly pleasing to see such a strong field of high calibre candidates standing for election to the Board.
“The quality and breadth of those putting themselves forward to serve World Boccia is a clear reflection of our organisation’s growth and development as well as the recognition of the strategic importance of these roles and the Boardroom.
“It is so encouraging to see our members strong interest in helping to shape our future and I am grateful for their support and interest.’
The candidates’ statements reveal similar priorities for the sport’s next phase: stronger governance, sustainable finances, global development, improved media exposure and greater support for athletes.
Commercial growth is a particularly strong theme. Several candidates argue that better broadcasting, digital storytelling, sponsorship and partnerships could generate new income to fund development and reduce the financial barriers facing smaller nations.
There is also a clear emphasis on expanding boccia beyond its established strongholds.
Candidates propose greater investment in Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, while strengthening continental pathways, youth competitions and support for emerging federations.
The election comes as World Boccia embarks on a new governance era, with the reforms also creating an athlete representative on the board and replacing the traditional Treasurer role with a Director of Finance.
The recruitment of an additional three independent non-executive Directors will further ensure board diversity and a skills-based approach to support strategic intent.
The successful candidates will inherit an organisation with an ambitious agenda: grow the sport globally, strengthen its finances and visibility, while ensuring that athletes remain at the centre of its decision-making.
