What was announced as an animated meeting of PE Vlaams-Brabant indeed took place last Sunday in Halle. The national chairman himself was present as an observer at this general meeting, which was already an indication that something was to be expected. Every year the same story at this meeting, where sector 2 and 3 live in discord, while in sector 1, despite not everything going smoothly there either, they have chosen the sporting approach and not self-interest. This allows enthusiasts to compete for a beautiful and large result in sector 1, which is also divided into an East and West result. This sporting solution results in several enthusiasts from sector 1 being able to rank in the provincial championships for speed and ½ fond.
Actually, sectors 2 and 3 can be compared to sector 1, and in my opinion, it should also be possible to create a similar collaboration as is already the case in sector 1. But to achieve that, everyone will have to make concessions, and even then, a solution does not seem to be in sight. The people of sector 1 are extremely annoyed by the annual recurring fuss of sector 2 and 3 and have little understanding that these sectors cannot find a sporting solution as they have done. Many locals from sector 1 also left the room early. How things should proceed with sector 2 and 3, no one knows, and even within PE Vlaams-Brabant, they cannot cooperate because they all have different viewpoints. This was noted in the room, and if the representatives cannot agree, why should the locals be able to agree? It was suggested that Bodengien should then abolish the provinces if the representatives cannot agree and do not want to provide or apply solutions themselves.
That the sector lines are a thorn in the side is clear. The chairman of PE Vlaams-Brabant, Mr. Claeskens, even says that enthusiasts within the 2.5 km should not be allowed to choose, which he considers discrimination. Eric Herbots from Obrafo Tienen finds it abnormal that they can only give a radius of 4 km along the sector line and wants this line to be abolished, meaning the line remains but the locals can work with radii. Eric Hendrickx from Overhespen fears that if sectors 2 and 3 release and play together, there will be more losses and that some enthusiasts will even stop. The chairman of PE Vlaams-Brabant adds that in sector 3 they will clock 10 to 15 minutes later than the first pigeon in sector 2. In sector 1, they should laugh at that; you have the East and West results, so what is the problem? And most locals from sector 2 are in favor of releasing and playing together; if it can be done in sector 1, why not with us? Let's try it for one year, but that proposal was rejected! Yet, when sectors 2 and 3 released and played together in the ½ fond, the national champion and national ace pigeon were in this collaboration, and despite Joossens being from sector 1, he was quite proud of it. Vlaams-Brabant on the national map and national days, what can you have against that?
If you read the above, you know that it will not be easy to find a solution here. But everyone will have to make concessions. What Eric Herbots says is true: if your radius is limited by a line, that is unfortunate. The idea of working with the radii just before the sectors can be a solution, and whoever falls within this radius makes an annual choice where they will play. Now they want to make the choice permanent, which in my opinion is not a good idea. But working with radii means that even more enthusiasts have the choice to choose, and is that discrimination, they say?
Well, try to find a solution for that. How are you going to solve that? I already feel sorry for enthusiasts who will run for the upcoming KBDB elections! They will be accused of being biased because they are associated with one or another local. Start with that. Or the national chairman Bodengien must put things in order so that the new representatives can start with a clean and sporting slate.
In short, I have listened and voted for what our enthusiasts voted for at our general meeting, namely sectors 2 and 3 releasing and playing together. The proof that this is possible can be seen with our neighbors in sector 1! You then play sector 2+3 with a doubling sector 2 and a doubling sector 3. Locals use their radius from before the sectors, and whoever falls within a radius outside the sector of the local must make a choice. This choice remains applicable for the entire season. And if necessary, we try this for one season and will evaluate it after the season. But yes, things are not that simple, and yes, then everyone must be willing. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Finally, isn't it time to create working groups for sectors 2 and 3? Hopefully, solutions can come out of this, and sector 1 will not be burdened with the problems of sectors 2 and 3 at the PE Vlaams-Brabant general meeting? But who will take this initiative? Again, we look to Bodengien; despite speed and ½ fond not being a national matter, he will have to mediate, I think.
Naam schrijver: Buelens, Geert