Federations Roundup -- FIFA Compromises on Poland, Prague to Host Youth Softball World Cup

Polish Sports Minister Miroslaw Drzewiecki announces an agreement between Poland and FIFA over PZPN. (Getty Images)FIFA Compromises on Polish Football

Poland's FIFA World Cup matches are no longer in danger following a compromise accepted by FIFA Tuesday between Poland's Sports Ministry and PZPN, Vice President of the Polish Football Association Jerzy Engel said.

Starting Friday, Oct. 10, a new Independent Electoral Committee, made up of ministry members as well as PZPN and UEFA representatives, will oversee the sport. The agreement does not include the reinstatement of PZPN, which was originally demanded by FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini.

The new committee will focus on fast and lawful elections for new management at PZPN. It will also launch a new initiative focusing on corruption within the game.

Poland's football problems arose after a decision by the Arbitration Tribunal of the Polish Olympic Committee, on the motion of the Minister of Sport, suspended the PZPN management board and appointed an administrator to stop corruption in the sport. In response, FIFA and UEFA threatened to ban Poland from international competitions unless the management board was reinstated, asserting sport should be free from governmental influence.

2009 Softball YouthWorld Cup Set for Prague

Following up on an Aug. 22 press conference, International Softball Federation President Don Porter announced Monday that the city of Prague will Prague will host a girls' 16-and-under fast pitch tournament. (Getty Images)host the girls’ 16-and-under fast pitch tournament that was previously announced in Beijing.

The Easton Foundation Youth Softball World Cup will be held Aug. 9 – 16, 2009 and will include 10 or 12 teams.

“We’re excited to showcase the youth in our game at this event next year,” Porter said. “We’re very confident in Prague as a host site and are most thankful to the Easton Foundation for their participation.” The Foundation is affiliated with Jim Easton, IOC member from the U.S.

The event will conclude six weeks before the IOC votes on the program for 2016.

Feds Briefs…

The Whistler Sliding Centre opened to the public this week. (Getty Images)The International Luge Federation executive board met in Vancouver this week and inspected the artificial track at the Whistler Sliding Centre. The facility will undergo its first crucial test during FIL's International Training Week starting Nov. 8. During the EB meeting, FIL also appointed Claire DelNegro of the U.S. as head of its newly created Sustainability Working Group.

The International Volleyball Federationannounced a partial 2009 World Tour calendar following their annual meeting in Lausanne. The main event will be the 2009 SWATCH FIVB Men’s and Women’s World Championships in Norway, which offers $1 million in prize money. It will take place from June 25 to July 5. IMG Sports Media will distribute broadcast of key events plus act as an event and media rights consultant to the federation, under a new deal announced this week that commences in 2009. Five Grand Slams are being proposed for 2009 in Germany, Russia, France, Switzerland and Austria. A finalized calendar will be released by the end of October.

The European Table Tennis Union has elected Stefano Bosi as the new president. Deputy Vice President Eberhard Schoeler and Vice President for Finance Camille Gonderinger were also confirmed. The group also selected six people to represent Europe to the ITTF board.

The executive board has also chosen Warsaw as the host city for the 2011 European Championships. The Polish Table Tennis Federation, now in its 80th year, has previously overseen the European Youth Championships in 1980.

Egle Abruzzini, president of the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee, is retiring after almost 50 years in sports. Her last competition will be in Benidorm, Spain.

The first matches in the International Ice Hockey Federation's new Champions Hockey League begin with broadcast in Europe and the U.S. Universal Sports TV – an NBC property – is showing the Oct. 8 club matches in the States. Eleven European broadcasters will cover the games, as well as one in Canada.

USA Triathlon has announced the inaugural class for the USAT Hall of Fame. It will include ITU World Cup legends Karen Smyers and Sheila Taormina, administrators Verne Scott and Jon Gray Noll and age-group athlete Judy Flannery.

"This being the first year of the Hall of Fame, everyone on the committee was committed to setting a very high standard and to selecting inductees who truly shaped the sport," said Chuck Graziano, co-chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee. "I think we're all exceedingly pleased with the result and it makes the hours and hours of work worthwhile. In the coming years, we'll have a great standard to maintain and the stature of USAT's Hall of Fame will be on par with any Hall of Fame in any sport as a result."

Euro Hockey League has launched a new Web site. The fully interactive site will allow fans to watch videos from all of last season's matches. It will also include a section for each club, allowing them to update the public on player status, news and rankings.

Kitesurfers at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge in Namibia broke the 50 knot barrier twice in 24 hours. The fastest time, 50.57 knots, was recorded by French kitesurfer Alexandre Caizergues. The results still have to be ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

Beach handball is looking for a few good designers. The sport is seeking entrants for a logo design competition by Oct. 31. The design should, among other things, incorporate the IHF logo, include a handball figure and include sun, sea and sand. The winning designer will receive $2,050 as well as goods from IHF partner adidas.

Written by Trista McGlamery and Maggie Lee

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