21-10-2024 Announcement from the KBDB â Consultation NPO and KBDB regarding the international racing flights 2025
CONSULTATION BETWEEN NPO AND KBDB regarding the international racing flights 2025
Meeting of 17/10/2024
There has been ongoing turbulence regarding the international long-distance racing flights 2025 due to the cessation of activities of the ZLU, as the international partner of the Netherlands.
However, the continuity is assured! The NPO (Dutch federation) will facilitate the organization of international racing flights in 2025 as the international partner.
A first consultation took place on October 17, 2024, between representatives of the NPO and a delegation from the KBDB.
It was an extremely constructive meeting, taking into account the concerns, wishes, and proposals from both parties.
However, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding the logistical and administrative procedures and processes.
Further consultation on this matter is necessary.
Consensus has already been reached on the following points:
1. Taking into account the national marathon program 2025 of the NPO and the desire to organize only 1 marathon flight per weekend, except for the weekend of Barcelona, the Dutch pigeons will participate in the following international racing flights:
- 20/06/2025 Pau
- 27/06/2025 Agen
- 04/07/2025 Barcelona
- 11/07/2025 St Vincent (Dax)
- 01/08/2025 Perpignan
2. The basketing day for all international racing flights 2025 remains unchanged from 2024, i.e., on Monday.
3. The transportation (pickup in the Netherlands and transfer to the liberation site), care, and release of the Dutch pigeons at the international racing flights will be handled by the NPO and their respective departments, primarily because the NPO is responsible to the Dutch government (ministry and other authorities).
4. The Dutch convoy will merge in Belgium with the convoys of other participating countries and will depart from there to the liberation site. Dutch pigeons will not be mixed with other pigeons, nor vice versa.
5. For each flight, a local responsible person will be designated in consultation by the participating countries at the liberation site, who must come from one of the participating countries but may not be part of the organizing committee. This responsible person will change for each flight and will always come from a different country. They will not have a say in the release decision but will only communicate with the companions regarding the opening of the crates and the liberation hour.
6. The liberation must occur at the earliest possible favorable time based on weather conditions.
7. The pigeons participating in the international racing flights must be released together, following UNANIMOUS agreement among the various countries. If ONE country does NOT agree to release, then there will be NO release. The Belgian organizer has no say in this release decision. The chairman of the NSC of the KBDB has no veto power anymore. They will only communicate Belgium's stance regarding liberation. These communications will take place via WhatsApp.
8. The racing flights are national competitions with a mandatory international duplication. The international pool letter 2024 can be used in 2025. Further arrangements need to be made regarding the logistical process of this pool letter, in which neither the KBDB nor the NPO has an active role.
9. The international results will be drawn up by the Belgian ranking official/computerist, designated by the KBDB. Both the KBDB and the NPO ensure that the electronic basketing and arrival data are forwarded to the Belgian ranking official.
10. The amount of the financial compensation for international participation will be determined in the short term. The compensation must be reasonable and fair and should cover the costs to be incurred.