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Gibraltar.- España rechaza participar en competiciones europeas y mundiales de bolos por la presencia de Gibraltar

La oposición gibraltareña reprocha a España que siga mezclando "deporte y política"

MADRID, 22 (EUROPA PRESS)

El Consejo Superior de Deportes no ha autorizado a la Federación Española de Bolos a participar en las dos últimas competiciones europeas ni al próximo Mundial juvenil debido a la presencia de Gibraltar como miembro reconocido en las Federaciones europea y mundial de este deporte, según informaron fuentes de la Federación Española de Bolos a Europa Press.

La participación gibraltareña en competiciones de bolos ha impedido, por recomendación del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores al Consejo Superior de Deportes, que el equipo español haya viajado en marzo a la Copa del Mediterráneo o a la Copa de Oro Europea que se celebró en Luxemburgo entre los pasados 8 y 13 de mayo. Además, no asistirá al Mundial juvenil de Alemania del 21 al 30 de julio.

Si bien Gibraltar estaba dentro de las Federaciones europea y mundial de bolos desde hace varios años, hasta el pasado año no empezaron a asistir a eventos europeos más allá de la Copa del Mediterráneo. Además, el Consejo Superior de Deportes insiste desde el pasado año en especificar con antelación si Gibraltar forma parte o no de cada Federación deportiva internacional, ya que en caso afirmativo no autoriza el desplazamiento del equipo español.

La oposición liberal-socialista gibraltareña aprovechó este asunto para emitir un comunicado en el que reprocha a España que siga mezclando "deporte y política" en su reclamación territorial sobre el Peñón.

"El hecho de la retirada español de un reciente torneo internacional de bolos en Luxemburgo debido a la participación de Gibraltar, muestra que la política de Madrid hacia Gibraltar no ha cambiado", indicó al respecto. En el pasado, el conflicto deportivo entre España y Gibraltar se ha centrado en deportes como el atletismo, bádminton y hockey.

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The Spanish Government has instructed its sports federations not to participate in Championships where players from Gibraltar also participate.

As a consequence of this, it is not possible for Spain to host the European Champions Cup 2007. Fortunately we have found the Luxembourg Federation prepared to take over. It was the intention from Luxembourg to host the ECC 2008, but fortunately for all of us they were able and willing to do it already in 2007.

The ECC 2007 will be conducted in Inter Bowling in Foetz, Luxemburg from 17-23 September 2007, which is one week earlier than the original scheduled period in Spain.

The ETBF Presidium is very grateful to the Luxembourg federation for their willingness to take over at such a short notice.

16 October 2006
Kim Thorsgaard Jensen

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Nearly 50 golfers made the trip to Dehesa Montenmedio on Sunday 15th October, where the SG Hambros Trophy competition was of significant importance as the last chance to qualify for the Med Golf Masters at Valderrama on Sunday 5th November. In a very close and exciting finish, the winner was not decided until the very last group were in the clubhouse and eventually coming out on top was Gary Edwards. Runner-up was Pieter Nielen-Groen who missed out by a single point but he had some consolation by winning the senior section and the “top team” prize with his partner Steve Parry. Third place went to Dan Aldridge, with Julie Brewer continuing her good form by winning the ladies section once again. The “star quality” award went to Paul Vincent.

Amongst the other prizes, nearest the pin winners were Bill Adridge, Louis Calvente, Keith Hodgkinson, Steve Parry and John Hunter, with Dan Aldridge also taking the prize for the best score on the par 3’s and the best round of the day with a superb score of 73. Gary Edwards won the longest drive competition.

Gary now takes his place alongside other competition winners Louis Calvente, Denny To, Nicky Sanchez, Russ Crawford, Frank Samways, Andy Griffin, Neil Emmerson, Tom Parry, Josh Hunter, Geoff Watchorn, Finbarr Holland, Mike Cowburn, Josh Jones, Dan Aldridge and Jeff Richardson for Valderrama, where Aage Hempel Marine Electronics, Blue Sky Management and Aloha Bookies, sponsor the Med Golf Masters. As the PGA Volvo Masters will be concluded the weekend before, the course should be in excellent condition for all the participants.

The Med Golf competition season continues at Estepona on Sunday 12th November, where the sponsors are Ibex Insurance and along with all the usual crystal trophies and prizes, the first invite for the Valderrama Med Golf Masters 2007 will be up for grabs. You can make sure of your tee time by ringing Johnathan Goodson on Spain (0034) 639 741 886 or e-mail him at jg@medgolf.gi

The full tournament schedule and information on the substantial green fee discounts available are on the web site www.teetimespain.com

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In an interview with local daily newspaper Panorama, GFA President Joe Nunez has suggested that Gibraltar could get a positive vote from the UEFA Congress, if the application for membership is put through by obtaining support from the smaller nations.

Nunez expressed the belief that the UEFA Executive Committee will eventually have to admit Gibraltar on a provisional basis, although, he said he did not know how long that would take. However, claiming that the “battle was coming to an end.” Speaking on the possible vote to be put before the UEFA Congress Nunez said that Gibraltar only needed to obtain 27 votes to get a majority, and indicated that he felt the smaller countries would support Gibraltar’s application. He criticized the English FA for its failure in supporting Gibraltar, claiming that during the past 8 years they had given Gibraltar “virtually no support whatsoever.” Claiming that since the departure of Graham Kelly from the English FA the latter has seemed more interested in “appeasing the Spanish FA than fighting our corner.” His comments come after a decision by UEFA to postpone its decision on Gibraltar even though the Court of Arbitration for Sport had ruled in Gibraltar’s favour for provisional membership.

In the meantime local coaches have today expressed their optimism at Gibraltar meeting UEFA standards after doubts over whether UEFA regulations could be met. According to local football coaches they have been made aware of the need to meet all UEFA standards, with the Government also believed to have indicated that it is willing to provide its support so that UEFA regulations on the availability of facilities and safety and security measures required for UEFA membership will be met.

Click here: to buy Gibraltar football stamps.

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Laguna FC managed to beat last years, third division champions by the narrowest of margins. Laguna however, wereunable to beat last year's 7th placed team, Lions FC.
Their next match is scheduled for the 18th of October against the Wanderers.
04/10/2006 Gib Pilots Won 1-0 J.Zammitt
11/10/2006 Lions FC Lost 3-1 Guy

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The decision by the UEFA executive committee to postpone its decision over Gibraltar joining UEFA stems from allegations made by the Spanish football federation that Gibraltar's football installations are not in British Gibraltar, but in the isthmus which Spain considers to be disputed land - and which it further claims is under Spanish sovereignty.

What strengthens the Spanish position, and in turns weakens our position, is that in the airport agreement concocted under the tripartite process, Gibraltar has agreed with the Spanish contention that the isthmus is disputed land. And additionally, we have further safeguarded the Spanish position by the concessions that have been made over the use of the airport, as if it was a Spanish airport for flights to and from Spain.

Spain may argue that the isthmus is disputed land, in the same way that they claim the rest of Gibraltar, but the Gibraltar Government should not go along with it.

RECOGNISED

The airport agreement says that it is without prejudice to the respective legal positions "with regard to the dispute over sovereignty and jurisdiction over the territory in which the airport is situated."

The legal positions may differ, but what was accepted in Cordoba clearly means that all sides fully recognise that there is a "dispute over sovereignty and jurisdiction" over the whole of the isthmus area, which extends from the frontier to Casemates.

This is now being used by Spain to try and stop the GFA joining UEFA despite the favourable ruling by the Court for Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

It now transpires that the president of the Spanish football federation, Angel Villar, in his 11th hour intervention before the UEFA committee, put forward what are political arguments concerning the isthmus, insisting that Gibraltar's football facilities are located on land which the Spanish Government claims is under Spanish sovereignty.

The Spanish argument is that the isthmus was illegally occupied by Britain in 1909, when the actual frontier fence was erected.

JURISDICTION

In fact, this is incorrect as British jurisdiction over that area goes back to the 1800s when a line of sentries demarcated what was known as the Spanish and the British neutral grounds. Subsequently, a fence was erected by Britain to prevent smuggling between Spanish and British territory.

Spain has always rejected taking the question of the isthmus to the International Court of Justice.

Meanwhile, the Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos says Spain will not drop its guard over the UEFA issue, which confirms, if confirmation were needed, that the whole UEFA issue is enveloped in a political cloud in Madrid.

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Last Friday's Charity event saw yet another great night of darts, all in aid of charity.

Photo: A group photo of some of those less camera shy participants who enjoyed a good night of darts.

What a night! With just a few days to the start of the season, it can definitely be said that those that weren’t there missed out. We witnessed some of the best games thrown on the rock for quite some time and that is a promising start to what is still to come this year.

Please remember that the Lifeline Edward Charity event was played for a final time as mentioned in previous articles. All Charity events will be amalgamated into one, which will be the “GBC Open Day” darts charity day.

There where eight 180’s thrown in total on the night (5 x Dylan Duo, 2 x Justin Broton, 1 x Henry Zapata) and the highest checkout thus far this season of 158 (T20, T20, D19) by Alan “The Bulldog” Kimberley. Countless 18 darters or less darts being reported left right and centre and a good few 12 to 14 darters which reinforces that darts in Gibraltar is stronger than ever.
In fact this level of play is worthy for any International event Gibraltar might participate in the near future. So all in all its good news for the darting fraternity.

Justin Broton though 2nd last year in the rankings is starting to show why exactly he earned that position by taking his 1st win so early on in the season.

A round robin was played between the 16 players that took part and then the top 2 from each group proceeded to the knockout stages.

Yet again new faces arrived to play that night like Mark Thompson who works in Gibraltar but resides in Spain and travels into Gibraltar to participate. Also other players attended who are getting back into the swing of things like Dyson Parody (has been ranked 1 in Gib in previous years).
The players that qualified to the knockout stage are shown below:

Jadrian Pecino, Dylan Duo, Alan Kimberley, Dyson Parody, Henry Zapata, Stefan Federico, Justin Broton, Danny Peach, Nicholas Cumbo

In the final, between Dylan Duo and Justin Broton(pictured right being presented trophy by Mark Thompson.) Dylan won the throw at the bull, yet again (whoever is closest throws first) and Justin’s words were, “oh here we go again” (or so he thought). Despite losing that advantage, Dylan won the 1st leg but Justin quickly fought back to make it 1-1.

In the 3rd leg Justin was struggling and had 214 points left and Dylan was sitting quite comfortably on an outshot, however Justin scored a good 174 (T20, T20, T18) to leave double 20 and took his chance on his next throw by hitting tops with his 3rd dart to make it 2-1 in his favour.

In what we know now was to be the last leg Justin played a good 14 dart leg to win the game and trophy

Click here: to visit the Gibraltar Darts Association website

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Brussels: Gibraltar's Conservative MEP Neil Parish has handed a letter to UEFA's chief executive, Lars Christer-Olsson, urging him to ensure Gibraltar's application to join the football organisation is given a fair hearing. Mr Christer-Olsson was in Brussels for a meeting with the European Parliament's culture committee.

Gibraltar's application to join UEFA has been constantly opposed by Spain, which is letting the ongoing sovereignty issue interfere with what should be an independent decision. Last week, UEFA's governing body postponed its decision on the Rock's membership of the football organisation after the Spanish lodged an eleventh hour appeal. All eyes are now on UEFA's congress, which will make the final decision in January.

Mr Parish said: "UEFA must ensure this decision is about football, and not politics. Spain's behaviour has so far been very unsportsmanlike, and it is a terrible shame that decisions about international football have to get politicians and courts involved.

"All I am asking UEFA for is a fair hearing. If the Faroe Islands and Greenland can be members, why can't Gibraltar? The way Spain has been playing lately, they could face a drubbing if they went up against the Rock in Euro 2012.

"UEFA must not allow itself to be hoodwinked into a decision that may cause fewer waves in Madrid, but would be unfair on Gibraltar."

THE LETTER

This is the letter to Lars Christer-Olsson, UEFA chief executive:

Dear Mr Christer-Olsson,

I understand that UEFA's congress will make its final decision on Gibraltar's application to become a member of UEFA in January. As one of Gibraltar's MEP's, I am therefore writing to urge you to grant Gibraltar its rightful status as a member of the organisation.

In the past few weeks, the Spanish have been lobbying hard against Gibraltar's inclusion on the grounds that UEFA's statutes would be breached if they granted Gibraltar membership as the territory does not have individual representation at the United Nations. I believe that this complaint is both politically motivated and groundless. Gibraltar's application predates this rule which was only adopted in 1999. In addition, there are other UEFA members who have full membership but do not have a separate office in New York.

I am therefore greatly concerned that the Spanish are attempting to use the ongoing sovereignty issue as grounds to stop or delay Gibraltar's membership of UEFA. The Spanish government seems willing to politicise football to make a point about sovereignty. Gibraltar has a rightful place in European football and I urge UEFA not to succumb to these petty Spanish efforts to deprive Gibraltar of its rightful place.

This decision should be about football, and not politics and I therefore urge UEFA not to be hoodwinked into a decision that may cause fewer waves in Madrid, but would be unfair on Gibraltar.

Yours sincerely,
Neil Parish MEP

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