Last Saturday, September 14, the Executive Committee of the Federation of International Bandy (FIB) held a meeting in Arlanda, Stockholm, to continue advancing the goal of making bandy -and its international federation- a little better every day. At that meeting, topics such as the approval of new members for the FIB committees, the modification of the current anti-doping rules, the report on the FIB World Championship 2025, the extension of the collaboration with Staylive and the creation of a (vital) FIB strategic plan were discussed.
The future FIB strategic plan was something whose draft was approved in June by the congress. The Executive Committee established the framework, process and timelines for such a plan, which will focus on long-term goals and priorities for the organization. The plan includes ongoing consultation with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the federation can grow the sport globally, expand its fan base and achieve recognition at the highest levels of international competition. According to the project plan, the FIB’s strategic plan will be presented at the FIB congress in 2025.
Henrik Nilsson, FIB President, commented at the end of the meeting that the meeting was “a critical step in shaping the future of international bandy. With key decisions made regarding future events, partnerships, anti-doping measures and strategic plans, the FIB is well positioned to continue its growth and uphold the values of the sport”.
The FIB’s strategic plan is a crucial roadmap for the future of bandy. This discipline, very popular in countries such as Sweden and Russia, continues to seek to expand and increase its recognition at the international level. In this sense, the creation of a strategic plan is a logical and necessary step to consolidate the federation as a major player on the world sporting stage.
INCLUDING BANDY IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES
This plan not only aims to increase the bandy fan base, but also to ensure that the sport is accessible in more countries, especially those where its practice is still limited. It also seeks to strengthen links with other sports organizations by promoting the inclusion of bandy in major multi-sport events, such as the Olympic Winter Games.
The FIB 2025 World Championship is another of the most eagerly awaited events for the bandy community. Preparations are already underway, and the federation is working to make it a benchmark event, not only for the quality of the tournament, but also for the visibility and global impact it is expected to generate. The extension of the partnership with Staylive, an online broadcasting platform, is key to this objective. Staylive has been a fundamental tool in bringing the bandy to more viewers around the world, allowing fans in countries where the sport is not as popular to follow major events closely. With this prolonged partnership, the FIB seeks to ensure that matches and tournaments are widely covered, thereby increasing its fan base and the sport’s appeal.
In summary, the recent meeting of the FIB Executive Committee marks a turning point in the history of bandy. The decisions taken, from the creation of a strategic plan to the improvement of anti-doping rules and the expansion of partnerships, are indicative of a federation that is determined to grow and make bandy a globally recognized sport. With an eye on the 2025 congress, the FIB is positioned on a solid path towards consolidating its place on the international sporting scene.
