Ivan Tibau, captain of the Catalan Team of Hockey
Ivan Tibau, captain of the Catalan Team of Hockey on Skates
Ivan Tibau, captain of the Catalan Team of Hockey
Ivan Tibau, captain of the Catalan Team of Hockey on Skates
You have competed in an official tournament with the Catalan Team of Hockey on Skates. Therefore, we have to go on and be certain that Catalan Teams are possible.
Exactly. In Macao we competed in an official tournament because the Catalan Skating Federation had been provisionally recognised in Miami. We were very close to obtaining the definitive official recognition but, finally, it was not possible. Be that as it may, I think that we will succeed; it is only a matter of time. There are a lot of people behind the Teams.
Therefore, you are very optimistic.
“If we fight with all our strength, we will obtain the recognition of Catalan Teams.”
How do you recall those days in October of last year in Macao?
They were very intense and unforgettable. All the members of the Team lived a unique and very touching experience; for the first time in our careers, we played in an official competition defending the shirt of Catalonia and, what is more, we did it at the other end of the world. Right now, I would repeat this experience without thinking twice.
“We must continue working to obtain the international recognition of Catalan Teams. If we fight until the end we will succeed.”
You have also defended the shirt of the Spanish Team. Do feelings change a lot?
The basic difference is in the mediatic repercussion of one team and the other. After the triumph in Macao we were received by a lot of people, all the country’s media spoke about us; we were the unquestionable protagonists of current events for some days. With the Spanish Team one could come back with a world award in one’s hands and no one would care. Opposite to this, the reaction of people after winning the B championship in Macao was spectacular.
“I am optimistic because behind Catalan Teams there is a very important part of the country.”
How did you take it when you knew that the pressure of the Spanish Government prevented you from playing the world championship of this summer in San Jose?
I felt very bad. We knew that, on the track we would be able to classify for the A world championship in San Jose, but we were also aware that the most important match of all was played in the offices. And we lost that one. The pressure of the Spanish Government arrived to places that we had not expected it would. Everyone saw that the assembly in Fresno had been chaos. We, Catalans, went there to defend our rights in a too naïve way, and we were ill-treated.
“I hope that thanks to the appeal lodged with the Sports Arbitration Council, the Catalan Skating Federation will be recognised again by the FIRS.”
What do you think must be done to obtain international recognition?
I think that we are working to obtain it. The Catalan Skating Federation lodged an appeal with the Sports Arbitration Council in Lausanne against all the illegalities that happened in Fresno. I hope that they will prove us right and then the whole process will start again. We have to continue working and I am convinced that if we fight as much as we can we will finally succeed.
“I would love to fight again for the Catalan shirt in an official competition, but I am resigned to enjoy it as a spectator. The only thing I wish is to see my team competing like any other.”
You still hope to be able to play in an official competition with the Catalan Team of Hockey on Skates?
I do not know. Time goes by for everyone. Needless to say that I would love to play with Catalonia in an official competition, but I really want our team to be recognised. I am resigned to being a spectator. To obtain international recognition and to enjoy it are my aims.