Within the framework of the III PAN-AMERICAN FISTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS in Novo Hamburgo the member federations elected a new PAFA board. IFA was represented at the congress by Vice President Dr. Giana Hexsel and Secretary General Christoph Oberlehner.

Gastao Englert was elected as new president of PAFA, the previous President Cris Süffert will serve as Vice President in the future. In addition to Englert and Süffert, the team is completed by José Luiz Eltz as referee director, Rejane Sinhori as sports director, Fernanda Hechenleitner for finances, Mora Veliz in administration, Cristobal Mödinger as media director and Federico Fritz for the development of Fistball in the PAFA area.
At the same time, it was decided that the structures of PAFA will change significantly. In order to strengthen the Board of Directors, various commissions will be established in which the operational work will be carried out on a topic-related basis. In the process, the athletes will also be given a strong voice through a newly created Athletes’ Commission led by brazil athlete Jayme Andrioli. The representatives will be directly elected by the athletes.

The new PAFA Board of Directors:
President – Gastao Englert (BRA)
Vice President – Cris Süffert (BRA)
Administration Director – Mora Veliz (ARG)
Finance Director – Fernanda Hechenleitner (CHI)
Referee Director – José Luiz Eltz (BRA)
Sports Director – Rejane Sinhori (BRA)
Media Director – Cristobal Mödinger (CHI)
Development Director – Federico Fritz (ARG)

In the Pan-American Championship in Novo Hamburgo (BRA) Team USA and Colombia were fighting for the last starting place in the 2023 Men’s World Championship in Mannheim, Germany. It is the last qualifier event for the highlight event in 2023.

In a tough match in the preliminary round USA won against Colombia 2:1 in sets. After a 9:11 loss in set one they came back and won the remaining sets clearly 11:3 and 11:5. Team USA finished the preliminary round on the third rank after their win against Chile. The bronze medal match versus Team Argentina on Friday ended with a 2:1 victory. Colombia ranked on the 5th place.

Brasil, Argentina and Chile are already qualified as they finished the last World Championship in Switzerland in the Top 8. Pan-America has 4 starting rights in total. Colombia and USA are fighting for the last starting right.

5 national teams compete in the men’s category in the Pan-American Championship: Brasil, Argentina, Chile, USA and for the first time Colombia.
These are all qualified nations for the IFA 2023 Fistball Men’s World Championship in Mannheim, Germany:

This weekend the III PAN-AMERICAN FISTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS take place in Novo Hamburgo. Two out of the best 3 club teams from the last weekend´s IFA Fistball World Tour Final are participating. You can not miss!

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if61kJqQs5M

Local Times (UTC-3)

Check out the schedule:
🔹 15/10 CLUBS DAY 2
8:30am Start of Games
15:00 Opening Ceremony
15:30 Resumption of Games
18:00 Closing of Games

🔹 16/10 CLUBS DAY 3
8:30 Start of Games
18:00 Awards Ceremony

#SGNH #punhobol #panamericanopunhobol #sports #PunhobolBrasil #wearefistball #faustball

Fistball is part of the CSIT World Sport Games (WSG) since 2019 in Spain. The CSIT (International Workers & Amateurs Sports Confederation) has announced the host and the dates for the next edition of the World Sport Games: The CSIT WSG will be relocated from Roma to Cervia (ITA) and take place from 5-10 September 2023. Within this multi-sports event Fistball hosts a Fistball Amateur World Cup tournament.

The CSIT ExCom made this necessary decision to change the host city at an extraordinary meeting in order to avoid impending bureaucratic problems and to be able to start preparations for the flagship event of CSIT in good time. Cervia has already successfully hosted the CSIT Single Championships in 2022 and has both the necessary infrastructure and experience to host the World Sports Games without any problems.
The WSG will now be held from September 5 – 10, 2023 in Cervia. The invitation and all information about Cervia Games 2023 will be published soon from CSIT and IFA.

The WSG are a major multi-sports event held every two years, full of sports, sport for all, cultural exchange, fun and new opportunities. These Games are not multisport games for top athletes, but for all amateurs (16 years and older) from different countries and cultures all over the world.

Male, female and gender mixed teams are allowed. Each team may exist of a minimum of 6 players. It is possible to register more than one team. The categories are formed according to the number of registrations. The tournament is played according to the Fistball – Rules of the Game.

Eligibility criteria:
All amateur players are permitted
No permission of national team players from countries finishing in the Top 7 (Men) / Top 5 (Women) at the last World Championship and players from the highest divisions in Austria, Switzerland and Germany.
Players must be at least 16 years old

Composition of the team:
Male, female and mixed teams – the categories are formed according to the number of registrations Clubs or teams of the member federations IFA / CSIT / FICEP – also several teams per club or selection are allowed
Team size minimum 6 players

On Thursday started the Pan-American Championship in Novo Hamburgo. This Championship is the last qualifier for the 2023 Men’s World Championship in Mannheim. 5 national teams compete in the men’s category: Brasil, Argentina, Chile, USA and for the first time Colombia.

Brasil, Argentina and Chile are already qualified as they finished the last World Championship in Switzerland in the Top 8. Pan-America has 4 starting rights in total. Colombia and USA are fighting for the last starting right. The direct duel takes place on Thursday 11am (Brazil time). Tomorrow Friday the placement matches take place. Good luck to all teams!

As reported, the men’s final on 25 September at the World Tour Major event at Novo Hamburgo between SOGIPA and host Sociedade Ginástica Novo Hamburgo was abandoned in the second set at 1-0 in sets for SOGIPA due to an altercation. The final was scored in favor of SOGIPA.

IFA looked for official statements and filed a request for relief on 30 September.

The proceedings are directed against two individuals and the club Sociedade Ginástica Novo Hamburgo.

In his summary review, the Chairman of the Tribunal has come to the following conclusions, pending a formal procedure with the entire Tribunal:

1. The witnessed kicking of a spectator by the player Francisco SCHMIDT from SG Novo Hamburgo constutitutes a misbehavior according to point 24 of the IFA Juridical Regulations;
2. The player Francisco SCHMIDT from SG Novo Hamburgo is provisional suspended from play and taking part in any IFA official event until further notice;
3. The formal proceedings according to the request by the IFA Executive Committee are opened.

The provisional measures and the opening of formal proceedings have been decided on 6 October and have been communicated as soon as possible on the same day to the club and the player. The player has thus been banned from playing in the upcoming days as an provisional measure in view of the seriousness of the allegations.

The tribunal will use due diligence to clarify all issues and formally hear all those accused.

The timing of the hearing is the sole decision of the tribunal.

The IFA board or president nor any (voluntary) staff member of IFA can overrule the tribunal and its timing.

The IFA condemns physical violence, discrimination or insults against other persons in the strongest possible terms.

We strongly hope that our Fistball community can understand the separation of power according to good governance.

19 teams registered for the IFA 2023 Fistball World Championship in Mannheim. At Fistball events 16 teams is a maximum and the qualification regulations take effect. The PAFA area will host their continental championships later this year and this will be only remaining official qualifier for the World Championship. Europe held their continental qualifier already and the European starters are already fixed.

From Europe there are seven nations qualified, PAFA has four starting rights, Asia and Oceania two each, Africa has only one slot. Seven teams per continent is the maximum quota possible. The aim of the qualification criteria is to guarantee a worldwide presence at the World Championship. Each regional champion and the top 8 from the last World Championship are qualified automatically. The remaining places are provided to teams from the Regional Association according to a quota per continental association.

Americas (4) – regional qualifier in October:
The Pan-American Championships takes place on 13 and 14 October. Brazil, Argentina and Chile are already qualified for the World Championship as they ranked in the top 8 in the last World Champs. USA and Colombia will fight for the last place.

Oceania (2):
The Asia-Pacific Championship from 22 to 23 October in Australia would have been the qualifier event for the Oceanian Area. As Oceania has 2 starting rights New Zealand and Australia are already qualified.

Asia (2):
India and Japan are the only two registered teams from Asia. As Asia has 2 starting rights, both teams are qualified. Furthermore, India and Japan are going to the Asia-Pacific Championship in October in Australia.

Europe (7):
The continental championship in Italy in June 2022 was the European qualifier. The top 7 teams in this event (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Serbia, Czech Republic) qualified for the World Championship in Mannheim 2023. 7 teams is also the maximum quota per continent, therefore Belgium and Poland didn’t qualify for the Men’s World Championship.

Africa (1):
Namibia as a top 8 team in the last World Championship and only registered representative from Africa is qualified automatically for Mannheim 2023.

(Q)…qualified
(X)…not qualified
(tbq)…to be qualified – qualification depends on regional qualifier

See detailed qualification regulations here: DOWNLOAD

During the final of the World Tour Major tournament in Novo Hamburgo (BRA), players and officials got into an altercation with spectators. As a result, the final between SG Novo Hamburgo and SOGIPA was cancelled and scored in favor of SOGIPA because they were 1:0 in sets in the lead at this time.

The IFA is currently collecting all information surrounding the incident and will subsequently decide on possible sanctions and penalties against those involved. Sanctions can be a warning, a reprimand, a fine, a deduction of points or even a match suspension or a ban from sports facilities.
The IFA condemns physical violence, discrimination, or insults against other persons in the strongest possible terms. Fistball lives and stands for values such as fair play, community and cohesion.

IFA Secretary General Christoph Oberlehner and Project Manager Theresa Eidenhammer are participating in the TAFISA European Sport for All Games in Perugia (Italy) from 23-27 September.

Within this Sport for All Festival IFA demonstrates 2×2 Fistball and brings people to our sports. 20 different nations and many international Sport Federations are represented in this European Games which demonstrates their disciplines with international and local visitors invited to join in and try out. The Festival is co-founded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.
On Saturday the Festival was opened with a big Opening Ceremony and a walk-in of all represented nations. IFA had the honor to carry the Austrian flag as the IFA head office is in Austria.

Besides the European Games the last meeting of the INTERACT project to promote Sport for All took place. The outcome of this project is a huge step forward in raising awareness of Sport for All. Find more information on the INTERACT website: www.interact-sport.com.

The U18 Men’s and Women’s World Championships will be cancelled after the withdrawal of Switzerland and further uncertainties as well as financial imponderables for the organizer. This was announced today by the International Fistball Association (IFA) in coordination with the organizing committee in New Zealand. “I feel most sorry for the athletes,” says IFA President Jörn Verleger.

7 teams each registered on time for the U18 World Championships (alphabetical order): Australia, Austria, Germany, India, New Zealand, Samoa, Switzerland.
Brazil and Chile stated in writing that they could not send teams to this World Championships for financial reasons. Argentina tried to get financial support from different sides, but in the end did not register for the World Championship.

After the publication of the participating nations, Switzerland withdrew its registrations. Germany and Austria discussed the sporting sense of the event but reconfirmed their participation. In the end, the deciding factor was that due to the lower number of participants, the total financing collapsed as additional uncertainty concerning the participation of Samoa arised.

“We understand the reasons put forward by our member federations and the organizer in New Zealand. The cancellation of the U18 World Championships only brings losers: federations, athletes, coaches and our sport in general. The young players are our future, so I am very sad for all of them who will lose ‘their’ World Championships and probably a once in a lifetime experience,” says IFA President Jörn Verleger.

“I would like to thank the New Zealand Fistball Assocition and especially Vikki Buston and Blase Dowall for their efforts in the background to secure the event until the end and to organize a great fistball event.”

Moving the World Championships to Argentina or to another country on the same date was not an option

Christoph Oberlehner, IFA Secretary General, says: “From our point of view, it is not fair to the New Zealand Assocition and the Oceania members to move the event to Argentina or any other alternative venue, since the 2019 IFA Congress – the highest IFA body with all member associations – unanimously awarded the event to the New Zealand Fistball Assocition (NZFA).

“We are now working together with the European Fistball Association on a solution to offer an U18 competition in summer 2023 for the youth players in Europe. The next U18 World Championship will be held in 2024 or early 2025 where we have three potential hosts. The bidding process will end soon,” Oberlehner added.

“The U18 Men’s and Women’s World Championships in New Zealand should have been a very special event for the youth athletes. We are well aware that events such as the U18 World Championships pose major financial and organizational challenges for both the host and the participating nations – regardless of where the World Championships are held. However, these events are an integral part of the IFA calendar – and must remain so in the future,” said IFA Youth Commission Chairman Uwe Schneider.