(ATR)Ingmar De Vos has outlined his first goal as the newly elected president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).
"Elections are always difficult, as it splits a little bit the family," the FEIquotes De Vos as saying. "I guarantee that I will be the president of all of you, I will serve all the members of our community, and I will work very hard to keep this unity."
The 51-year-old Belgian was elected president during the FEI General Assembly meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan on Sunday.
De Vos had served as secretary general of the FEI since May 2011.Sport Business Group says he will appoint an interim secretary general to take over the role until a permanent replacement is found.
The federation has been led by royals since 1954, including Britain's Prince Philip and Princess Anne, according to Sport Business Group.
De Vos takes over as FEI president for a four-year term and will be eligible for re-election for a maximum of three consecutive terms.
During the first round of voting, De Vos earned 98 votes out of a possible 131.
The outgoing two-term president of the FEI, Princess Haya, announced the final election results.
"I'm really very honored and overwhelmed by this enormous support," the FEI quotes De Vos as saying on Sunday. "I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your confidence."
De Vos also thanked Princess Haya, who was first elected FEI president in 2006 andannounced in August she would not seek election for a third term. "Words cannot explain what she has done for our organization.
"She has shown leadership, she has guided us through difficult waters, she has innovated us, she has modernized us.
"She has left us with a great legacy and I believe, together with many of you, that it is our responsibility to preserve [her] legacy and go on with the roadmap she has shown us."
Written byNicole Bennett
Homepage photo: FEI
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