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OHNE KOMMENTAR:
Dear IBF Committee Members
As per email from our CEO from March 24th, 2022 we have been “informed“ that all IBF business in Lausanne, Switzerland will be closed on March 31st, 2022.
Please read an extract in blue color (I have changed the color to show the original text) of such message which you have in your inboxes:
“… On March 23rd 2022 all financial affairs in Lausanne, Switzerland have been closed/shut/ceased. All invoices prepared from today will have to be detailed with Kuwait Bank account information for IBF.  Money will no longer be able to be received in Lausanne from 00:01 March 24th 2022 CET.
Resignation of the IBF Head Office at Maison du Sport International, Avenue de Rhodanie 54, 1006 Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland has been processed.  Offices will be vacated on March 31st 2022.  All paperwork will be shipped to Kuwait for storage.  The digitized files of all emails and documents related back to 2011 will be kept on file with legal counsel in Lausanne. Communication will be prepared to notify the following stakeholders that IBF will relocate all business affairs to Kuwait commencing from April 1st 2022:
IOC   IWGA   GAISF   ARISF   WADA   ITA   IPC   Sportaccord   ISPO
The employment contracts of IBF staff who are residents in Canton du Vaud, Switzerland will terminate on March 31st 2022.  We will support them as best as possible to receive the benefits of unemployment here in Switzerland.
CEO employment terminates on March 31st 2022.
Legal counsel arrangement for the purposes of operating under Swiss law terminates on March 31st.
New email addresses for correspondence for administrative affairs will be prepared.
This week, the majority of IBF partners and sponsors have been in Lausanne for a weeklong workshop.  The information shared above will be conveyed to them today and amendments to any contracts will be made where necessary.
“I have in copy formal protests from different members in the following received order:
Martin Faba – IBF 1st Vice President and Pan Am Zone President
Addie Ophelders – ETBF President
Valgeir Gudbjartsson – ETBF Vice President
Guy Igliori – Pan Am Zone representative
Jorge Franco – Pan Am Zone Vice President
Clara Guerrero – Athletes representative
All protests mention that such decision to move out of Lausanne to Kuwait is illegal and the President nor the board has the right to make such decision.I want to remind you a couple of decisions taken at the Congress held in Abu Dhabi on December 15th, 2015:
12.1 Statutes
A proposal to merge the two organizations FIQ and WTBA into one organization, World Bowling, had been distributed in advance. The document sent out points out the paragraphs in WTBA Statutes that have to be changed. Since the document was distributed FIQ and WTBA Executive Boards have made some adjustments mainly in the new rule 1.5.10. These changes had been proposed by World Ninepin. FIQ Congress had before this WTBA Congress adopted the proposed merge of FIQ and WTBA. The amended proposal was motioned to be approved by Australia. Seconded by Costa Rica. With the voting result 77 votes in favour, 0 (zero) votes against, the Congress – adopted to merge FIQ and WTBA into one organization, World Bowling – adopted the proposed changes of the Statutes (see Appendix 2) – All references to “FIQ” and “WTBA” in Statutes and Playing Rules shall be deleted, and “World Bowling” shall be inserted where appropriate
13.1 Resolution World Bowling main office
A resolution was presented as follows
“Be it resolved that the main office of World Bowling shall be established in Lausanne, Switzerland.”
The resolution was approved by 45 votes in favour and 23 against.“
As of December 15 2015 and executed further on November 8th 2018  World Bowling was located in one jurisdiction operating under the laws of Switzerland in the Canton du Vaud registered at Maison du Sport International, Avenue de Rhodanie 54, 1007, Lausanne.
On November 2nd 2020 an extra ordinary congress was called to change the articles of association and name of the organization from World Bowling to International Bowling Federation.
Last February 23rd, 2022 a Committee meeting held virtually, ratified the congress decision to remain in Lausanne, Switzerland and in the minutes should be written that no single board member objected that, in other words it was an unanimous decision.
So, changing such decisions is illegal and against our own statutes.
Last March 17th, 2022 some of us have presented (same as protesters mentioned above, plus Mike Seymour from Oceania and Marios Nicolaidis IBF 2nd VP) a letter to the president with some requests.
Instead of providing us an answer, which is the president’s duty and the board’s right, we received the information that our business will be over in Lausanne and moved to Kuwait.
This will cause a huge damage to our Federation as the IOC recognition is in danger, our sponsors support is in danger, our events are in danger. This could be the end of IBF as an international sports federation.
I really don’t know what else to do if the president plus other board members stay in silence and do nothing nor do they express support to the moving decision, it is time that every single federation member is informed about what is going on.
Dear board members, I will not be blamed for whatever is happening from now on, it is time for every one of you to stand or just hold your responsibility.  Thank you
Martin Faba Presidente PAN AM BOWLING +506 8314 0603  martinfaba@me.com

Eine Trainingswoche steht steht der Bowlingjugend zu Ostern bevor. Eigentlich ist es ja ein Junioren-Kader, da wir anstelle der EYC für die WJC2022 nennen. Der Kader reicht von Schüler Fabian GROSS bis Junior Martin WILFINGER über rd. 7  Jahre. Es ist aber jedenfalls sinnvoller, mit 2 kompletten Teams zu den WJC zu fahren als mit einem halben zu den EYC. Streng genommen ist ja kein Bewerb vor einer weiteren Verschiebung gefeit – nicht umsonst ist auch für Helsingborg noch keine vollständige Homepage aktiv und auch die EBF hat dzt. nichts online.
Egal wie es weitergeht – wir wollen nützen, was möglich ist und das Geld dafür ist gesichert. Das gilt auch für die EMC in Helsinki, für die der Kader neu zu definieren ist – immerhin fahren die ursprünglich dafür geplanten 2 Junioren statt dessen nach Helsingborg. Parallel dazu beginnt bereits die Vorbereitung für die EYC2023 in Wien. Die PLUS ist in Österreich die einzige Halle, in der eine EM ohne Kunststücke bei der Terminplanung ausrichtbar ist. Dazu gehört auch, dass am Abend Bahnen für das „normale“ Bowling zur Verfügung stehen können. Es wird europaweit manchmal auch in kleineren Hallen gespielt – da gibt es dann an einigen Tage 3 Starts statt 2.
Worauf wir jetzt generell aufpassen müssen, ist das Vor- & Umfeld der Halle.  Spatenstich: Startschuss für das große Bauen in Währing und Hernals – Währing (meinbezirk.at)  Der Beitrag über den Spatenstich zeigt, dass die Stadt weiterhin im Umbruch ist. Bäume, Radwege und was sonst noch alles zu einer lebenswerten Stadt gehört ist wichtig& nötig. Solange sich das nicht negativ auf die Bus-Radien rund um die Halle auswirkt, ist alles bestens. Ein 54er von Blaguss ist schon jetzt eine Herausforderung – und auch die nötige Buszone in der Beheimgasse müssen wir unbedingt erhalten.  Immerhin hat WIEN mit dem Trio PLUS-ÖSKB-LV29 in den letzten 2 Jahrzehnten die meisten internationalen Bewerbe aller europ. Länder veranstalten dürfen. Die Palette reicht von EWC, EMC, EYC und ECC bis zur WM der Auslands-Thailänder und den LGBTQ-EM 2024. Und noch etwas spielt mit, das „von uns daheim“ kaum registriert wird, nämlich die niedrigen Spielpreise. Zum Vergleich das Beispiel einer österreichischen Halle   wobei aber z.B. in Frankreich auch fast € 7 für 1 Spiel vorkommen.
Jetzt bleibt noch zu hoffen, dass nach Kärnten und aktuell steigend den Tirolern auch Wien wieder der Aufbau vieler Jugendlicher gelingt. Die Bevorstehenden Termine der Bowlingschule machen hoffnungsfroh. Es hindert aber auch niemand die anderen LV an Jugendarbeit! Der Versuch der Rückgewinnung jener, die in der Covid-Zeit oder aus sonstigen Gründen leiser treten oder sich überhaupt abgemeldet haben, ist sehr wichtig. Noch wichtiger ist auf längere Sicht aber eine Verjüngung des gesamten Sports. Abgesehen von Bowlingschule & Kinderparty etc. – wir alle quer durch alle Hallen (also auch die Seil- & sonstigen Fun-Anlagen) müssen die Neugier vieler Menschen wecken. Vor rd. 15 Jahren hatte Wien doppelt so viele Jugend wie der Rest von Österreich insgesamt. Da ist Luft nach oben – und es gibt viele, die daran arbeiten.
Hoffen wir auf entsprechenden Erfolg und viele Kandidat:innen für die EYC der nächsten Jahrzehnte!

2011 + 11 ist heute, die Situation bzgl. Nachwuchs hat sich stark verändert. Vor 11 Jahren traten z.B. Adler/Weingartner/Witura bei den Schülerinnen an, bei den Schülern spielte u.a. fast die halbe heutige Stadlau wie z.B. Celler, Dudek & Co. – vermutlich mit ein Baustein für die aktuellen Erfolge. Auch Kocher, Felsberger, Wirth, Valla, Repolles & viele andere sind aktiv und bekannt – das gilt ebenso für Stiel, Haag und viele andere der damaligen Jugend/Junioren. Alle Namen sh. blgd. Startliste, da merkt man auch einige Vereinswechsel. 2011 hatte NÖ noch Nachwuchs und das Ländle auch mehr als heute – OÖ einen „Legionär“. Wollen wir hoffen, dass mal wieder ein Aufschwung kommt – wie z.B. mit den Kärntner „Vierlingen“ im Jahr 2014 in der PLUS – damals war halb Kärnten im Aufbruch – eigener Bericht folgt bei Gelegenheit.

Technische Kommission des ÖSKB – Chris ROHRMOSER informiert:

The Sport of Bowling – USBC
USBC has revoked approval of the Storm Spectre bowling ball and removed it from the list of balls approved for USBC competition effective March 14, 2022. The revocation comes after USBC determined through its spot-checking procedures that a significant percentage do not meet the minimum 73D hardness specification in the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Manual.
Read more: https://bowl.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?id=23622337387 

The statistical analysis of the Storm Spectre indicated a defect rate of 98.6%, meaning that 98.6% of Spectre balls are projected to be outside USBC’s hardness specification limit. USBC tested balls from multiple batches, and the non-conformance was not limited to a specific batch. Unapproved bowling balls may not be used in USBC-certified competition. Bowlers who used the Spectre in competition before March 14, 2022, with no prior knowledge of their balls being out of specification would not be subject to forfeiture under USBC rules.

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The United States Bowling Congress has revoked approval of Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured in 2016 and 2017. These model years are removed from the list of balls approved for USBC competition effective March 21, 2022. These model years of the Purple Hammer may no longer be used in any USBC-certified competition, including all USBC leagues and tournaments.

Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured during 2016 or 2017 are identified by serial numbers that start with either a „6“ or „7.“

USBC investigated allegations that a portion of the Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured at the Ebonite International plant in 2016 and 2017 were produced below USBC’s minimum hardness specification at that time of 72D. The Hammer brand was purchased by Brunswick Bowling Products in 2019, and the Ebonite plant subsequently closed.

After a former Ebonite employee made public comments on this matter, USBC conducted an investigation. USBC interviewed more than a dozen individuals, including former Ebonite employees, in an attempt to validate the claim. Brunswick fully cooperated with the investigation. USBC announced its initial findings on March 7, 2022, that included a national tournament rule prohibiting use of the 2016 and 2017 Purple Hammer.

Following that announcement, additional information was provided to USBC causing the investigation to be reopened. Four additional interviews were conducted.

USBC has the authority to revoke approval of a bowling ball if it determines production balls do not comply with current specifications outlined in the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Manual. Based upon all the information gathered in the investigation, USBC now has made this determination about the 2016 and 2017 Purple Hammers.

During USBC’s investigation, former Ebonite employees, including ones with first-hand knowledge, provided detailed statements to USBC outlining how processes in 2016 and 2017 led to some Purple Hammers being produced and sent to the field below 72D. Multiple former Ebonite employees confirm that a production change took place in 2017 to raise the hardness of Purple Hammers produced in 2018 and 2019.

USBC has shared its determination with Brunswick and has Brunswick’s support. Brunswick will continue to offer owners of 2016 or 2017 Purple Hammers the option to exchange their balls for a new Purple Hammer or a product of their choice. This can be done on-site at the 2022 USBC Open Championships or USBC Women’s Championships, by claiming a replacement ball at www.hammerbowling.com/Purple, or by contacting Brunswick at consumerproducts@brunswickbowling.com or 800-937-2695.

Unapproved bowling balls may not be used in USBC-certified competition. Bowlers who used 2016 and 2017 Purple Hammers in competition before March 21, 2022, with no prior knowledge of their balls being out of specification, would not be subject to forfeiture under USBC rules.