Big Turnout Projected For ISF Congress

Delegates From Close to 80 Countries Expected at Meetings Next Month

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) -- One month from today the members of the Board of Directors will arrive in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA), in the lead-in to the International Softball Federation XXV Congress. The next day, October 27, will bring delegates from around the world to America’s mid-west as the world governing body convenes its biennial gathering.

"I think it shows the level of commitment of our members and the continued passion for our sport around the world," ISF President Don Porter said of the projected turnout of close to 80 countries. "This is nothing new, however," he continued. "Four years ago in the Philippines we had 77 countries represented, and two years ago in Venezuela we had another good turnout. I’m pleased that the trend will continue next month in Oklahoma City."

The Congress runs through and including October 30th and will take place at the Oklahoma City Marriott Hotel.

The site of the 2013 Congress will be just one of a number of agenda items, as will the awarding of host cities for future ISF championships. A discussion on possible changes to competition format (meaning, qualification tournaments) is also expected. There will also be numerous commission meetings, including, but not limited to, the Athletes Commission, the Women in Sport Commission, and the Hall of Fame Commission, which will consider the latest crop of candidates that have been nominated.

The Olympic Legacy Committee will lead a forum on the process that softball will follow relative to the sport having been on the shortlist announced by the International Olympic Committee in July. A total of eight sports will vie for the one spot on the 2020 Summer Games programme that will be voted on in September 2013.

Mr. Porter indicated that the ISF is finalizing details regarding special invitees for next month’s Congress. This year’s edition will also include an exhibitors area.

For more information, contact: Bruce Wawrzyniak at brucew@ISFsoftball.org, +1-813-864-0100, or +1-813-453-8762.

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