WFDF approves new members from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Moldova, Romania, and Thailand, reaching 75 member associations

28 May 2017

The World Flying Disc Federation ("WFDF") is pleased to announce that its Congress has approved five new Member associations, increasing WFDF’s membership to 75 member associations. The new Members are from Afghanistan (Afghanistan Frisbee Federation, AFF), Lebanon (Lebanon Flying Disc Association, LFDA), Republic of Moldova (Moldovan Flying Disc Federation, MFDF), Romania (Romania Flying Disc Association, RFDA), and Thailand (Thailand Flying Disc Team, TFDT).

"The approval of these five new Member associations from Asia and Europe comes as a result of the thorough and persistent work conducted over several years led by our Executive Director Volker Bernardi together with the WFDF Sport for All and Development Commission," commented WFDF President Robert "Nob" Rauch. "This figure constitutes a major milestone for WFDF as outlined in our previous strategic plan set out in 2012, as WFDF concludes a five year journey to finally reach 75 Member countries".

"The applications sent in by the five associations were unanimously approved by the WFDF Congress upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and we can state that all candidates performed quite well during the application procedure, showing the high motivation and enthusiasm of their leadership," stated WFDF Executive Director Volker Bernardi. "Flying Disc sports are currently being played in another two dozen countries and WFDF will keep moving forward in our growth as we now start targeting 100 Member associations."

"The Afghanistan Frisbee Federation was established in 2016 aiming to enhance the amazing game of Frisbee in Afghanistan. AFF has been working to prepare coaching training programs, workshops and tournaments in Kabul and some provinces since its establishment and we are looking forward to work with WFDF on these projects," stated AFF Secretary General Hamed Faizy.

The LFDA (Lebanon) President Johanna von Toggenburg commented that "We are honored that the Lebanese Flying Disc Association has been accepted as a member of the World Flying Disc Federation. As a young and dynamic association we are excited to expand the work of the past two years and are committed to developing the community in a sustainable and inclusive way, while increasing the level of play and Spirit of the Game. We would like to thank Mr. Volker Bernardi for his encouragement and guidance as well as the support of Member Associations and look forward to contributing to the growth of flying disc sports in the region."

"We believe Ultimate is not just a sport, but also a way to spread and teach important social traits among all ages and sexes through its ‘spirit of the game,’ attested by its amazing rate of growth and development. By today’s achievement, a true reunion between like-minded people just happened. Here in Moldova we gladly commit to grow our community and be part of this Ultimate venture," added Andrei Balan, President of the Moldovan Flying Disc Federation.

"Romania Flying Disc Association (RFDA) is honored to become a Member, a part of World Flying Disc Federation family," stated Liviu Coicea Ionut, President of RFDA (Romania). "We are happy that our work got us here and it will not stop now! We will continue to spread the Spirit of this sport in Romania. Thank you for all the support and Commission Chair Gabriele Sani for all his support. I hope that we will continue our good collaboration and in the name of all the players in Romania, we thank you."

"Thailand is honored to formally become a part of the WFDF family. Over the past two decades, Ultimate has been played across our country; promoting sportsmanship, inspiring fierce competition, and forging friendships. With growing local interests and commitment to the game, we believe formalization of our program will enable further development of skills needed for us to step up into the regional and international level arena. We look forward to sharing and learning from other members, and contribute to grow the Spirit of the Game" said Vansa Chatikavanij, Officer of the Thailand Flying Disc Team.

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Best regards,

Volker Bernardi

Executive Director

World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF)

Enggasse 2a, D - 55296 Harxheim, Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 6138 / 90 20 868

Fax: +49 (0) 6138 / 90 20 869

Mobile: +49 176 64 19 77 02

eMail: volker.bernardi@wfdf.org

Web: www.wfdf.org

About WFDF: The World Flying Disc Federation is the international sports federation responsible for world governance of flying disc (FrisbeeTM) sports, including Ultimate, Beach Ultimate, Guts, and Individual Events. WFDF is a federation of member associations which represent flying disc sports and their athletes in more than 75 countries. WFDF is an international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the IPC, FISU, a member of ARISF, SportAccord and the International World Games Association, and it is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in the state of Colorado, USA. The WFDF Executive Committee: President Robert L. "Nob" Rauch, Secretary Thomas Griesbaum, Treasurer Kate Bergeron.