Editorial IFF President U19 in Latvia

Distinguished guests and Floorball friends,

On behalf of the International Floorball Federation (IFF) I have the pleasure and honour to announce the third WFC for U19 men, in Latvia, in the cities of Valmiera and Cesis. The tournament is organized by the Latvian Floorball Union.

This is the third edition, with 16 participating countries, and the two first U19 organized in Germany and in the Czech Republic, were very successful in attracting the media and the spectators, and hence the WFC U19 is an important event for all IFF member associations, as a tool, in their important task to attract the youth.

The IFF is very pleased with the Latvian Floorball Union as an organizer, and in 2001 Latvia organized the WFC for women in Riga. It is vital that many members of IFF understand the necessity to take on IFF events in order not only to promote and spread Floorball internationally, but also as a tool to popularize our sport domestically.

On the international level the “family” has 36 member associations, and we are growing rapidly worldwide. In 2005 Korea, Ukraine, Liechtenstein and Iceland have joined the Floorball family and we great our friends heartily welcome!

For the international recognition for Floorball we have many important events coming up in 2006 and in 2007, and I would like to stress that besides all Floorball events within IFF, we are in good co-operation with FISU and Switzerland organizing in November 2006 in Berne the second edition of the World University Championships. Plans are also good on its way for a first historic World School Championships planned for Prague in the Czech Republic in April 2007 in co-operation with the International School Sports Federation.

Looking forward to seeing you all and a thrilling tournament. The IFF conveys many thanks to Latvia and the Latvian Floorball Union in co-operation with the cities of Cesis and Valmiera for hosting the WFC U19.

Yours sincerely,

Tomas Eriksson

IFF President