IFA President Jörn Verleger and Secretary General Chris Oberlehner will participate in the Competition Managers Meeting for the World Games 2022 on November 29 and 30 in Birmingham/Alabama. Before that, they will go on a promotional tour through Alabama. The IWGA spots on this tour in their interview of the month.

Mr. Verleger: you have already flown to the USA ahead of time. Why?

Jörn Verleger: Originally, my wife and I wanted to visit the USA for a few days before the Competition Managers Meeting on November 29 and 30 in Birmingham. This turned into a promotional tour in cooperation with Alabama Tourism. Christoph Oberlehner, our Secretary General, is also part of our “Come to Birmingham” team. We want to invite the Fistball fans to come and see their team in Birmingham at The World Games 2022. We also want to show what you can do before or after the games in the south of the USA. That makes the trip all the more worthwhile.

How did you come up with the idea?

Jörn Verleger: We run several promotions with the Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau throughout the last 2,5 years. Lately, we could win them as sponsor for our 2 on 2 Fistball event series in Europe. But it all started with a co-operation in 2019 at the IFA World Championships in Switzerland, a TWG qualifier. Together with the Alabama rep for the German speaking market we developed the idea of offering the combination of sport and vacation to Fistball fans in Europe. Our trip now is to explore some of Alabama‘s highlights fist hand.

Do you expect fans from Europe to come to the Games?

Jörn Verleger: At the World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, a lot of Swiss, Germans and Austrians supported their teams. I remember the spectacular final between the two countries and the incredible atmosphere in the stands. Quite so many fans will probably not travel to the USA. But I know that some Swiss Fistball friends already have plans to come and watch the tournament. There is also a lot of interest among Austrians and Germans as well. I am convinced the combination with a tourist offer will bring more fans to the games. The cooperation with the Birmingham CVB is a win-win situation for all.

What have been you highlights and sights this week?

Jörn Verleger: We were first in New York City and met with the national coach of the women’s Fistball team, Cory Dahn and US Fistball President Bob Feid. Our idea is for her to introduce Fistball to kids in Birmingham. Our sport can use such expert publicity in the United States. The anticipation of The World Games certainly helps to make people curious about a not so well known sport in the U.S. Afterwards we went to New Orleans and visited the French Quarter and the Garden District, which has the reputation to be the most beautiful neighborhood of New Orleans. Then on Thanksgiving we entered the state of Alabama and went to Mobile, the state’s oldest city, which provides some cool attractions such as the USS Alabama, a beautiful architecture and lovely restaurants. Later we headed to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach to enjoy two fun days at Alabama’s white sandy beaches, which is so far the biggest insider tip.

And when will you arrive in Birmingham?

Jörn Verleger: Late Saturday, after a day stop in Montgomery, Alabama’s Capital. That means, we have the whole Sunday to explore Birmingham, before the Competition Manager Meetings starts. We have two attractions on our list that day: Of course the Birmingham Civil Rights District with the Kelly Ingram Park, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church. Since it is a Sunday, we are able to enjoy the gospel service. The afternoon is blocked for the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. I have heard it is the largest museum for motorcycles in the world.

On Tuesday we will record a new episode of our podcast “Fistball Inside” on Wednesday with David Galbaugh, Vice President of Sports Sales & Marketing at Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. There, we’ll describe all the ways to combine a visit to The World Games Fistball tournament with a Southern trip. And we tell our followers how to get tickets for the games.

The International World Games Association (IWGA) has delegated the management of the anti-doping activities for the 11th edition of The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, to the International Testing Agency (ITA). The ITA will lead an independent and comprehensive clean-sport programme for the multi-sport event in collaboration with the Birmingham Organising Committee.

IFA President Jörn Verleger, who is also chairman of the IWGA Anti-Doping Hearing Panel, welcomes the decision as IFA itself is working together with ITA in different anti-doping issues like TUE.

The UTS World Virtual Youth Festival 2021 from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This year’s event is giving EveryBody the most visually, stunning and epic experience.
Everything is on one platform, the competitions, the workshops, conferences, youth ambassadors, opening conference and the list goes on. It is the true virtual environment.

For the next 7days watch the youth competition in Max Fit, Aero Fit, IPC Inclusive Challenge and the Unified Fitness Challenge.

To view all activities during the World Virtual Youth Festival you have to register and login via the ONLINE platform via: Riyadh2021.unitedthroughsports.com

Once you have entered the virtual platform; you will arrive in the Lobby and you can navigate where you want to go to.

Click on the blue menu bar at the top of the page or click on the wording to select one the activities that you want to visit.

* COMPETITONS: Watch the kids competing in Max Fit, Aero Fit, Talent, IPC Inclusive Challenge and the Unified Fitness Challenge.

* FESTIVAL EVENTS: Join the 4 Live Workshops, the Launch of the Festival, the Opening Conference, one of the 6 Conference sessions, the Closing Ceremonies, and many Medal Ceremonies.

* YOUTH AMBASSADORS: Enjoy more than 100 videos with inspiring messages from our UTS Youth Ambassadors.

* EXHIBITION: Visit one the 13 virtual booth and learn about the different cities/organisations.

It is super easy! Click HERE to watch our tutorial video to guide you through the platform.

DON’T FORGET THE ACTION STARTS TOMORROW

The first 2 workshops on Saturday:
The Inclusion Revolution and Global Values
UTS Ambassadors Cultivate Community

Workshops Continue on Sunday with:
IOC Young Leaders: Building a Better World Through Sport
Towards the Future and Clean Sport

DON’T FORGET, participating in all the 4 workshops will get you are super cool certificate and maybe even a surprise gift.

FULL PROGRAMME HERE

To find out more about the festival visit: www.unitedthroughsports.com or to discuss further email admin@unitedthroughsports.com.
#UNITED4THEFUTURE #UTSYOUTHFESTIVAL

Congrats to IFA Honorary President Karl Weiss, who was awarded AIMS Honorary Member in today´s AIMS General Assembly. Stephan Fox named Karl “one of founding members of AIMS and a real friend”. Congrats Karl and congrats to the re-elected AIMS council under the leadership of President Stephan Fox.

More than 400 leaders from the international sports movement including IFA President Jörn Verleger and Secretary General Christoph Oberlehner are ready to connect virtually this Friday (5 November 2021) to discuss the post-Tokyo 2020 implications, challenges and opportunities at the Virtual International Federation (IF) Forum.

Representatives from over 125 IFs will tune in to the invitation-only event, which will take place under the theme of ‘Tokyo 2020 – Learnings and Take-Aways for the Future’ over half a day, from 09:15 to 12:45 CET.

SportAccord, the organisers of the virtual gathering, have confirmed the participation of several stellar speakers, with the programme’s content having been driven by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell will discuss various key learnings from Tokyo 2020, while Dr. Pau Mota, the IOC’s Senior Manager, Medical and Scientific Department, will focus on the vital medical issues that emerged in relation to the Olympic Games earlier this year.

World Archery Secretary General Tom Dielen and International Golf Federation Executive Director Antony Scanlon will also provide Games-related case studies that will delve into their experiences of Tokyo 2020.

Each of the sessions will be followed by a dedicated 15-minute Q&A slot, providing all attendees with the chance to interact in a valuable knowledge-sharing exchange.

“This is an ideal opportunity to discuss lessons from Tokyo 2020 and best practices for the future,” said Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, the President of SportAccord and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), who will provide the IF Forum’s welcome address.

“Tokyo 2020 showcased the very best of sport in challenging circumstances, and our international movement has an unprecedented opportunity to build on the legacy of a game-changing edition of the Olympic Games and work together for the benefit of global sport and society. With the IOC and ASOIF driving the agenda, this virtual event will be highly relevant to the hundreds of International Sport Federation representatives who will participate, as we look ahead to emerging from the post-pandemic world in stronger shape than ever” Chiulli added.

“We can only rise to the challenges of the climate crisis by working together”, said IFA President Joern Verleger on the occasion of the opening of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow.

“To team up and to work together is not only necessary for states but also for international sports federations to tackle the issues”, Verleger added. “That´s why IFA is sharing knowledge and actions e.g. with our friends from the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) and within the SPORTS FOR CLIMATE ACTION FRAMEWORK”.

Today IFA submitted again its commitment to the framework to:
– set an interim (2030) and long-term emissions reduction target: a target of 50% emissions reduction by 203012 as a minimum and a net-zero emissions target by 2040.
– measure & report: measuring and publicly disclosing its annual climate footprint and emissions reductions progress.
– plan for reaching net zero emissions: submitting a concrete plan on how it intends to reach interim targets.
– communicate this commitment to our stakeholders and the general public.

“With this communication, we express our intent to support and implement the principles enshrined in the Sports for Climate Action Framework and we commit to working collaboratively with our peers and relevant stakeholders to enhance the climate action agenda in the sports sector and to use sports as a unifying tool to drive climate awareness and action among global citizens”, said IFA Dr. Christian Frenzel, Chair of the IFA Sustainability Working Group.

The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Ambitious New Targets for Sports for Climate Action Announced

A number of ambitious emissions reductions targets were announced by the UNFCCC’s Sports for Climate Action Framework (S4CA) today, 3rd of November 2021. These include reaching Net Zero by 2040 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 at the latest. This comes in response to the scientific consensus that the world needs to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero before 2050.

All new and existing members of S4CA are called upon to adopt new goals under this Framework, which aims to gather sports organisations, teams, athletes, and fans in a concerted effort to set the pace for climate action and raise awareness on the urgency required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“Four years since we launched the Sports for Climate Action Framework, more than 280 sports organisations have committed to the overarching objectives of aligning sport with the goals of the Paris Agreement,” Patricia Espinosa, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, said at the launch of Framework targets at COP26.

“The sector eagerly took up the challenge, but also told us that they want to do more and to do it faster. These organisations are now being challenged to reduce emissions 50 per cent by 2030 at the latest and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040,” she added.

Signatories including IFA, the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, BBC Sport, the Premier League and Formula E, have signed up to these new targets. In addition, signatories commit to submitting plans to outline concrete actions that will be taken to implement 2030 targets as well as report on overall progress with commitments on annual bases.

It was also announced today that Sports for Climate Action signatories who adopt these targets will officially enter Race to Zero, a coalition of leading net zero initiatives, representing 733 cities, 31 regions, 3,067 businesses, 173 of the biggest investors, and 622 Higher Education Institutions.

The Sports for Climate Action Framework has two overarching objectives: achieving a clear trajectory for the global sports community to combat climate change and using sports as a unifying tool to drive climate awareness and action among global citizens.

About Sports For Climate Action

UN Climate Change set up Sports for Climate Action in 2018 to support and guide sports actors in achieving global climate change goals. Uniting behind a set of principles, sports organisations and their communities have created an initiative by collaborating in order to position their sector on the path of the low carbon economy that global leaders agreed on in Paris in 2015. Sports for Climate Action works towards two overarching goals: Achieving a clear trajectory for the global sports community to combat climate change, through commitments and partnerships according to verified standards, including measuring, reducing, and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the well below 2 degree scenario enshrined in the Paris Agreement; Using sports as a unifying tool to federate and create solidarity among global citizens for climate action.

UK hosts the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021.

#COP26 #TogetherForOurPlanet

After a 2-year break because of the worldwide COVID19-pandemic the IFA Fistball World Tour will re-start in 2022 again.
In the last full edition more than 115 registered club teams and 29 hosts from 5 continents prove that the IFA Fistball World Tour was very successful.

As we try to improve the World Tour step by step and year by year, we once again offer an adopted version to the Fistball community for 2022.

The biggest modifications are which we already implemented in the cancelled World Tour 2020:
– Reduction to 3 tournament categories: Major – IFA 500 – IFA 250
– Only the best 5 tournament results per team will find their way into the WT ranking
– No more downgrading – the category is fixed for this season. Restrictions would affect the following year

The quality criteria for the tournament categories in 2022 can also be found in the Tournament registration form below or here: TOURNAMENT CRITERIA 2022

HOST REGISTRATION (until 30 November 2021):
Hosts can register their tournaments from now on until 30 November 2021 by using the following link:
– REGISTRATION HOSTING IFA WORLD TOUR TOURNAMENT

Right after this process, a full list of tournaments will be published in the Middle of December.

CLUB TEAM REGISTRATION (until 15 January 2022):
Club teams can register for the Fistball World Tour season 2020 until 15 January 2022 by using the following link:
– CLUB TEAM REGISTRATION

We are looking forward to a great re-start of the IFA World Tour in 2022.

5 years ago today, the 7th Women’s Fistball World Championship finished in the city of Curitiba, Brazil.

Germany defended its title with a 4:2 (8:11, 11:4, 14:15, 11:9, 11:5, 11:6) victory over Brazil. Switzerland reached the bronze medal by a 4:0 victory (11:7, 11:8, 11:8, 11:9) against Chile.

First, all participants played a round robin (each-against-each). The four best teams qualified for the semifinals.

For the first time, a women’s team from Fistball Federation of Australia took part in a World Cup in 2016.

Watch the gold medal match re-live on: https://www.fistball.tv/en-int/playerpage/141949

Bronze medal match: https://www.fistball.tv/en-int/playerpage/141946

Fistball is part of the United Through Sports virtual Youth Festival 2021 again this year, and you can be there too!

Over 100 organizations have joined together in solidarity and unity within the Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympics values. Together, these organizations will promote inclusion, health, equality, non-discrimination and peace.

This year we want to see your unique fistball skills and bring them in front of the curtain! Young people have the chance to participate in the 5 categories U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18. Send a video with your fistball skills and special talents (alone or in a group!) until October 30th via Whatsapp to +43676-564 81 46 or via mail to uts@ifa-fistball.com. The video must be maximum 3 minutes long and recorded in landscape format.
You compete against other athletes from all over the world and referees will judge your skills. The winner goes to the next round. Maybe you make it to the Finals in Saudi Arabia from 20-27 November which will be held as virtual event?

The contest is open to all youth up to 18 years old, there are special age groups (under 10/12/14/16/18 male and female respectively).

Here is an example of our Youth Ambassador Anika Hartl from Austria with her team:

Message from our Youth Ambassador Anika Hartl:

As the world begins to gradually recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, I very much hope that the United Nations Day inspires a response that fosters peace and prosperity for all. In celebration of the 76th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter this year’s theme, Building Back Together for Peace and Prosperity, celebrates the rich history of the UN while looking towards a bright future.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.

There is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations. Today, the urgency for all countries to come together, to fulfil the promise of the nations united, has rarely been greater.

Hymn to the United Nations

Get inspired by the Hymn to the United Nations. “Let music for peace Be the paradigm, For peace means to change At the right time, As the World-Clock, Goes Tick and Tock. So may the story Of our human city Presently move Like music, when Begotten notes New notes beget, Making the flowing Of time a growing”.

24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.

More: https://www.un.org/en/observances/un-day