World Bandy is going through one of the most delicate institutional moments in its recent history. The organisation’s Executive Committee unanimously approved a vote of no confidence in its president, Henrik Nilsson, following a series of disagreements related to internal management, statutory authority and the relationship with the federation’s General Secretary.
According to information released by World Bandy following several online Executive Committee meetings, the conflict originated after Nilsson requested the resignation of General Secretary Attila Adamfi and communicated his intention to dismiss him should he refuse to step down voluntarily.
Executive Committee backs General Secretary Attila Adamfi
The Executive Committee considered the arguments presented by the president to be “invalid and unfounded” and expressed its unanimous support for the General Secretary. The organisation also stated that Adamfi had acted in accordance with Executive Committee decisions, Congress resolutions and the World Bandy Statutes.
The Executive Committee further questioned several attempts by the president to introduce unilateral changes to operational procedures, communication systems and reporting structures, as well as the appointment of a Deputy General Secretary without prior approval from the relevant governing body.
Management Commission created to ensure stability
As a consequence of the situation, the Executive Committee agreed to establish a Management Commission chaired by First Vice President Stein Pedersen, alongside Vice President Antti Parviainen and the General Secretary himself, Adamfi. Its purpose will be to ensure the smooth operation of the organisation in the coming months.
World Bandy also explained that it decided to inform all Member Associations simultaneously after the president communicated his intention to address the matter exclusively with the three Nordic Member Associations. The Executive Committee argued that all stakeholders should receive the same information under principles of transparency and equality.
Kazakhstan suspension and debate over Russia and Belarus
In governance matters, the organisation also approved the suspension of the Kazakhstan Bandy Association registered with World Bandy due to unpaid membership fees and inactivity. The decision will need to be ratified by Congress and could facilitate the admission of a newly established national federation in the country.
In addition, the Executive Committee confirmed the creation of a working group tasked with examining the possible integration of Russian and Belarusian teams into international competitions. The group will be chaired by Executive Committee member Mikhail Entaltsev and will include, among others, Athletes’ Committee Chair Rebecca Draper.
Moving closer to the Sport for All movement
While World Bandy faces an unprecedented institutional crisis following the unanimous withdrawal of confidence in its president, the organisation is also seeking to maintain its activities and growth by projecting an image of openness and international development. Its affiliation with the International Sports for All Federation (FISpT) reflects that ambition to expand the sport’s base, strengthen its participation dimension and engage more closely with structures recognised by the IOC.
The contrast between these two developments is significant. On one hand, the federation is seeking to strengthen its presence and credibility within the international sports ecosystem; on the other, it is being forced to manage a deep internal division at the highest level of governance, one that has culminated in a vote of no confidence against its own president.
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