I stand by the window… the crowns of the oaks are losing their uneven “battle” against the howling wind… a “lonely” hare crosses the country road and in the distance the melancholic howling of a lonely dog echoes, waiting for the owner who does not come.
We have entered the “dark” days… but the “real breeders” do not let it get to their hearts and are already busy in the lofts… “here and there” artificial light betrays that there will soon be coupling!
Pigeon sport never stands still!
Organizationally, there is once again much dissatisfaction within the sport, but for the average enthusiast, it’s “the far-off show”… here in his loft… in his “little kingdom” he is “lord and master”… soon at year’s end there will again be “new hope” in the basins and the breeder can continue to dream about what is to come. Indeed… as long as a person can and may dream in these fearful times of this earthly valley of tears.
The current structure and regulations can attract little to no new young enthusiasts, let alone keep them.
Pigeon sport is in a deep valley and will sink further without a modern and future-oriented policy from the KBDB.
The downward spiral is not solely due to management and administration, but the youth today finds too much distraction that does not require the daily commitment that pigeon sport does.
There is also the “cost factor” which must be bearable for the “pure-bred” enthusiast.
I am referring to travel costs – read “transport”.
Fortunately, there is now the recently closed new project in East Flanders for collaboration among all national entry points from East Flanders… the V.O.V.D. (Association of East Flemish Pigeon Friends) for a cheaper and more transparent game! “Union makes strength”.
Congratulations to the initiators for that, and hopefully, they receive much support from the enthusiasts’ guild and beyond!
There is also the changed way of living, which has become a reality, and therefore the family must be central at the KBDB… the regulations concerning release times must be re-evaluated and costs drastically reduced in all areas!
There is “here and there” still too much profit-seeking… the “common folk” let it go, and therefore it seems unjust to many… a right acquired!
Something must also be done to counteract the rise of the large lofts (and corresponding satellite lofts)… they put small enthusiast interests under pressure.
At the beginning of the seventies, I took law classes from Prof. Delva at the RUG… and something I’ve always remembered is that a democratic organization must maintain a strict separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers!
Long before the decade, we had the Study of the Van CLE Foundation (early 1980s) at the request of the KBDB and funded by them.
There was much wisdom in it concerning the future-oriented approach to our sport.
Perhaps this should be taken out from under the dust again? It’s a pity nothing was done with it under the “ancien regime”!
The appointment of an “independent” advisor with no “ties” within the sport who examines the cumbersome structure of the organization would not be a luxury, in other words, a company audit.
Nowadays, this is called an “improve scan” which shows where you can improve your company in terms of approach and organization.
“Together” today for the wellbeing of the pigeon sport of tomorrow, that’s what I would say!
LW