21-10-2024 Announcement from the KBDB â Consultation NPO and KBDB regarding the international races 2025
CONSULTATION BETWEEN NPO AND KBDB regarding the international races 2025
Meeting of 17/10/2024
There has been unrest for a long time concerning the international long-distance races of 2025, following the cessation of activities of the ZLU, as an international partner of the Netherlands.
However, continuity is assured! The NPO (Dutch federation) will, as an international partner, facilitate the organization of international races in 2025.
On October 17, 2024, a first consultation took place between representatives of the NPO and a delegation from the KBDB.
It was an extremely constructive meeting, taking into account the wishes, desires, and proposals from both parties.
There is still uncertainty regarding the logistical and administrative procedures and processes.
Further consultation on this matter is necessary.
A consensus has already been reached on the following points:
1. Taking into account the national marathon program 2025 of the NPO and the wish to organize only 1 marathon race per weekend, except for the weekend of Barcelona, the Dutch pigeons will participate in the following international races:
- 20/06/2025 Pau
- 27/06/2025 Agen
- 04/07/2025 Barcelona
- 11/07/2025 St Vincent (Dax)
- 01/08/2025 Perpignan
2. The marking day for all international races 2025 will remain identical to that of 2024, namely on Monday.
3. The transportation (pick-ups in the Netherlands and transfer to the release site), care, and release of the Dutch pigeons at the international races will be done by the NPO and their respective departments, mainly because the NPO is accountable to the Dutch government (ministry and other authorities).
4. The Dutch convoy will merge in Belgium with the convoys from other participating countries and will depart from there to the release site. The Dutch pigeons will not be mixed with other pigeons, nor vice versa.
5. For each race, a responsible person will be designated on-site at the release location by the participating countries, in mutual consultation, coming from one of the participating countries, but he may not be part of the organizer's committee. This person will change for each race and will always come from a different country. He will have no say in the release decision but will only communicate with the attendants regarding the cutting of the baskets and the release time.
6. The release should take place at the earliest favorable time depending on the weather conditions.
7. The pigeons participating in the international races will be released together, following UNANIMOUS agreement between the different 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 chairperson of the NSC of the KBDB no longer has veto power. He will only communicate Belgium's position regarding the release. These communications will occur via WhatsApp.
8. The races are national competitions with a mandatory international double. The international pool letter 2024 can be used in 2025. Further agreements need to be made regarding the logistical process of this pool letter, where neither the KBDB nor the NPO will play an active role.
9. The international results will be compiled by the Belgian ranking officer/comptroller, designated by the KBDB. Both the KBDB and the NPO will ensure that the electronic marking and arrival data are sent to the Belgian ranking officer.
10. The amount of the financial compensation for international participation will be determined shortly. The compensation must be reasonable and fair and should cover the incurred costs.