The ExCo, unfortunately, had to cancel its meeting in Solna, December
9-10, 2002. However, here follows some updated information, amongst other in
the political field.
The ExCo has on its tasks amongst others to handle political issues, in
connection to our Vision set by the Congress in Helsinki in May 2002.
It was meant that Mr Liljelund and myself should have attended the
Congress. Mr Liljelund could not attend however due to his work, and was
therefore replaced by Mr Orlando.
At the latest GAISF congress (November 21-24, 2002) and Assembly in the
USA I, together with Mr Orlando, represented IFF. We stressed two things
mainly, first of all the presence at the actual Congress, and secondly, even
“more” important, did some “networking”. We had discussions with the IWGA
President Ron Froelich and Mr Bob de Die (korfball) about possibilities in World
Games in Duisburg Germany in July 14-24, 2005. The conclusion was that it
seems as the “door is closed” and that the disciplines are already decided
upon. For the next issue, 2009, there are many candidate cities, also in Asia
(Singapore). In 2004 the IFF has to apply for membership in the IWGA, and
before that also apply for the ordinary membership in GAISF. My conclusion
is however, that it might be good and wait yet another year due to the fact
that the next GAISF Congress is in Spain, Madrid May 12-16, 2003 (in
connection with a manufacturers sports convention). It has been set earlier
due to the fact that GAISF and other International Federations and also the
IOC, are supposed to have, joint, meetings in cooperation. Due to the Madrid
meeting a member has to apply six months in advance for ordinary membership,
and this would mean already December 12, 2002. The standards are at least 30
members, which we now fulfil. Mr Orlando and I also checked the formalities
with the GAISF Director General, Mr Jean- Claude Schupp. Mr Orlando will check
this issue further with GAISF Council members and IOC delegates Mr Gian Franco
Kasper and Mr Denis Oswald from Switzerland with whom we meet.
In order to meet with the IFF Vision and fulfil the missions and
objectives the ExCo are already planning a meeting with the IOC in Lausanne
(preliminary some days before the IFF CB meeting in Bern April 12-13, 2003) in
order to achieve IOC recognition. Mr Orlando is responsible for the
coordination. The IOC statutes and laws say 75 members and at least 4 continents
in order to play in the summer Olympics. And we have all seen the discussions
on the penthalon and softball and baseball that the IOC first proposed to
remove from the Olympics and then in Mexico City decided to keep as it is.
This, surely, means that the summer Olympics is virtually “closed” for the
upcoming Olympics in a row? But the recognition should be feasible as bandy and
orienteering already are recognised by the IOC in Lausanne?
The second draft of the WADA doping code is now sent to all IF.
In Copenhagen in March 3-5, 2003, there will be a doping conference. RACC
Chairman Mr Orlando, and secretary general Mr Kratz will attend it. The IFF
office will answer, RACC responsible, to the second draft of the WADA doping code
and also send appropriate information on floorball to WADA.
Mr Orlando and Mr Eriksson and Mr Kratz attended the WUC 2002 in Sweden,
Göteborg. Georgia made their first appearance and made a good impression!
Finland won the final against Sweden, and we congratulate Finland! Eight
nations took part, and the FISU was very pleased with this.
We meet with Mr Fritz Holzer, vice President of FISU, and discussed the
WUC and its future. Next edition will be in 2004 and 2006 and so on. The SUHV
has already at this stage shown interest in supporting the Swiss university
associations. In Colorado Springs we also meet with FISU President Mr George E
Killian and Secretary General Mr Roch Campana and discussed the future of the
FISU WUC.
I must stress that the WUC is a FISU event and in their “chain of
command”. The FISU decided where and when its played, but it has to be in the
IFF calendar, and also (better) coordinated with all floorball associations in
the future.
At the WUC in Göteborg, Sweden, the Disciplinary Committee (Mr
Hermansson from Finland, and Mr Buri from Switzerland) meet and had two good
sessions and started the revision of our juridical regulations. Mr Orlando and
Mr Kratz also worked on a proposal for new updated statutes and the other IFF
Regulations. The objectives, on the regulations, are that the CB in Prague
decides upon these in January 11, 2003.
The closing of books have soon come to an end, and it all, as decided by
Congress, indicates a surplus at least as budgeted, preliminary approximately
+15.000 CHF. The secretary general with the treasurer will have a preliminary
outcome ready for the IFF CB meeting in Prague January 11, 2003.
Yours sincerely,
Tomas Eriksson
IFF President