Foreword IFF President WFC 2005 in Singapore

Distinguished guests and Floorball friends,

On behalf of the International Floorball Federation (IFF) I have the pleasure and honour to announce the World Floorball Championships for women in Singapore.

Our sport is growing very rapidly worldwide and attracts the youth and the Internet generation as well as the spectators to a large extent. This is also the fact in Singapore and in the region.

As of today IFF consists of 35 member countries, all which are very active in developing our sport worldwide, and Floorball is an ordinary member of GAISF, having applied for IOC recognition and we are aiming soonest possible to take part in multisport events such as the Universiade, the World Games and of course striving to be a part of the Asian Games.

This is the fifth edition of the women’s WFC, and the first historic edition for a WFC ever being played in Asia. When Floorball discussed about a possible WFC outside of Europe we did that at the important Presidential Meeting for all member associations in 2001 in Latvia. The choice of Singapore was at that time quite obvious and clear, and all members were in favour, in order to meet the requirements of a worldwide sport. Singapore was the first country that developed rapidly in Asia, and we jointly signed an agreement in the latter part of the 90´s to have Singapore as a springboard for the development in the region. And I must say that I am very proud for the achievements and accomplishments that the good management of the Singapore Floorball Association has done. Furthermore if it wouldn’t have been for the positive and moral support from Singapore Sports Council, and its good management, the CEO Mr. Oon, and the earlier Colonel Kwan, Floorball would not have been so prosperous as it is today both within Singapore, but also spreading to neighbouring countries, and hence as a sign of this being rewarded the WFC for women in 2005.

In December 2004, Singapore Floorball Association hosted the very prosperous Asian Summit where all members in the region were invited, and a vast majority took part. All participants agreed upon founding a Confederation, most likely the Confederation of the Asian and Oceania Floorball Associations – CAOFA. On Thursday June 2, the official founding meeting of the Confederation of the Asian and Oceania Floorball Associations will take place in Singapore. This will create a milestone in the development of Floorball in this region. It is also very apt that Singapore, being the country with the most rapid development in the sport, to be the foundation for Floorball development in Asia and Oceania. This will not only mean that we can further jumpstart the growth of Floorball in Asia but also there is the implication for the employment of staff, to be a part of this Asian and Oceania Floorball Confederation. This will further propel Floorball to reach international standards.

I had the pleasure to attend the APAC organized in December in Singapore and I must say that I was highly impressed by the Singapore warm and friendly mentality, and welcome, that we all meet on the stands by the spectators, and by all volunteers and professionals willing and eager to help.

Looking forward to seeing you all and a thrilling tournament. The IFF conveys many thanks to the Singapore Floorball Association in cooperation with Singapore Sports Council for organizing the WFC for women in Singapore.

Yours sincerely,

Tomas Eriksson

IFF President