FIFS World Congress Brings Together 30 National Federations in Trabzon

FIFS World Congress Brings Together 30 National Federations in Trabzon

International federation leaders reviewed the history, current development and future direction of Football Skating, confirmed key leadership appointments and discussed the expansion of new global disciplines.

The FIFS World Congress 2024 was successfully organized in Trabzon, Türkiye, alongside the 15th Senior Football Skating World Cup and the First Junior Football Skating World Cup.

Under the authority of Federation International Football Skating - FIFS, IPTC Organization was assigned to organize and deliver the international Congress as part of the official World Cup programme.

Officials and representatives of 30 national Football Skating federations and recognized national structures from different regions of the world participated in the Congress, making it one of the most important international governance and development meetings in the history of Football Skating.

The Congress provided an official platform for national federation leaders to review the development of the sport, discuss existing challenges and define priorities for the next phase of international expansion.

Reviewing the History and Development of Football Skating

During the Congress, Dr. Mehdi Salman Pour, President of Federation International Football Skating - FIFS, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the past, present and future of Football Skating.

His address covered the documented history of the sport, its international development, its current organizational position and its potential for future growth.

Dr. Salman Pour explained how Football Skating had developed through different countries, communities and competitive formats before entering a more structured international phase under FIFS.

He also reviewed the progress achieved through national federations, international competitions, World Cups, educational programmes and technical-development initiatives.

The presentation emphasized that the future development of Football Skating would depend on stronger national structures, better international coordination and a clear pathway for athletes, coaches, referees and federation officials.

A Global Vision for the Future of the Sport

The FIFS President presented the international vision of the federation and discussed the significant potential of Football Skating as a modern, fast-moving and highly engaging global sport.

He addressed the opportunities available for the expansion of the sport through:

• National federation recognition;
• Government and Ministry of Sport cooperation;
• National championships;
• School and university programmes;
• Junior and youth development;
• Coach and referee education;
• International competition participation;
• Club development;
• Media, commercial and institutional partnerships;
• Continental and regional expansion.

The Congress also examined how national federations could create stronger domestic structures and prepare their athletes and officials for future FIFS competitions.

Freestyle and Ice Football Skating Identified for Future Expansion

One of the major strategic announcements during the Congress concerned the planned expansion of the official FIFS discipline structure.

Dr. Mehdi Salman Pour announced that FIFS intended to develop and introduce two additional disciplines during the next phase of international growth:

• Freestyle Football Skating
• Ice Football Skating

The proposed development of these disciplines is intended to expand the international reach of Football Skating and create new opportunities for athletes, clubs, national federations, event organizers and host countries.

Freestyle Football Skating is expected to focus on individual skill, creativity, technical control and performance-based competition.

Ice Football Skating is intended to extend Football Skating into ice-based sporting environments and create a new international competition pathway using ice skates.

The two disciplines are expected to become increasingly important components of future FIFS development and competition programmes.

National Federation Recognition and Government Relations

A major part of the Congress was dedicated to the challenges faced by national federations.

Dr. Salman Pour discussed the importance of securing official recognition from national Ministries of Sport, sports authorities and relevant governmental institutions.

National representatives were advised to strengthen their legal and organizational position and work toward formal recognition of Football Skating within their respective countries.

The Congress addressed several key areas:

• Legal registration of national federations;
• Recognition by Ministries of Sport;
• Communication with National Olympic Committees and sports authorities;
• Creation of national teams;
• Organization of domestic championships;
• Development of clubs and regional structures;
• Preparation for international participation;
• Athlete registration and selection;
• National technical and administrative planning.

The FIFS President emphasized that the international growth of the sport must be supported by credible and active national organizations.

Development of International Coaches and Referees

The Congress also examined the need to improve the international standard of coaching and refereeing.

Participating federations were encouraged to develop qualified coaches and referees capable of working under FIFS regulations and international competition standards.

Discussions included:

• International coach education;
• Referee certification and assessment;
• Technical seminars;
• Practical training programmes;
• National instructor development;
• Competition-management education;
• Laws of the Game;
• Match control and disciplinary standards;
• Continuous professional development.

The improvement of coaching and refereeing standards was identified as an essential requirement for the successful expansion of national competitions and future World Cups.

Dr. Mehdi Salman Pour Re-Elected as FIFS President

During the World Congress, Dr. Mehdi Salman Pour was re-elected as President of Federation International Football Skating - FIFS for the following four-year term.

His re-election confirmed the continuation of the federation's international development strategy and provided leadership stability for the next phase of FIFS activities.

The Congress recognized his role in the global development of Football Skating, the organization of international competitions and the expansion of FIFS structures across different countries and continents.

Following his re-election, Dr. Salman Pour confirmed several senior international appointments.

Zach Phillips and Almir Falcão Reappointed as Vice Presidents

Dr. Mehdi Salman Pour reappointed Zach Phillips as FIFS Vice President for RollerSoccer.

He also reappointed Almir Falcão as FIFS Vice President for FUTINS.

These appointments reflected the international structure of FIFS and its commitment to maintaining cooperation between the major historical communities and disciplines of Football Skating.

Both officials were assigned to continue supporting the development of their respective disciplines within the international federation structure.

Ava Fall Appointed President of FIFS Africa

Ms. Ava Fall of Senegal was appointed President of FIFS Africa until the next FIFS World Congress.

The appointment was issued by the FIFS President as part of the federation's strategy to strengthen Football Skating development across the African continent.

Her responsibilities include supporting national federation development, encouraging official registration and recognition, expanding participation and assisting the creation of new Football Skating programmes across Africa.

Her performance and future eligibility for the position will be assessed according to the progress achieved before the next Congress.

Where substantial and measurable development is achieved across the continent, including formal federation growth and wider official participation, she may be eligible to stand again for the position during the next appointment or election process.

Syim Adanur Appointed Acting President of FIFS Europe

Mr. Syim Adanur, representative of Football Skating in Türkiye, was appointed Acting President of FIFS Europe until the next FIFS World Congress.

The appointment was made to support the structured development of Football Skating across Europe and strengthen communication between FIFS and emerging national organizations in the continent.

His responsibilities include:

• Supporting the establishment of national federations;
• Encouraging government and sports-authority recognition;
• Expanding official Football Skating activities;
• Assisting national competition development;
• Promoting international participation;
• Supporting coach and referee education;
• Reporting continental progress to FIFS.

His continuation or future candidacy for the position will be evaluated according to the level of official development achieved across Europe before the next Congress.

Meaningful progress in federation formation, recognition, participation and continental expansion will be an important factor in any future consideration.

Strengthening Continental Development

The appointments for Africa and Europe formed part of a broader FIFS strategy to create accountable continental leadership.

FIFS expects continental officials to produce measurable development rather than hold honorary positions without practical results.

Their responsibilities include supporting national structures, increasing official participation, developing competition programmes and strengthening the connection between national federations and the international governing body.

The Congress emphasized that future continental appointments should be based on performance, development, transparency and contribution to the global growth of Football Skating.

A Major Governance and Development Congress

The FIFS World Congress in Trabzon represented an important milestone for the governance and future direction of Football Skating.

The meeting brought together representatives from 30 countries and enabled the international federation community to discuss:

• The history of Football Skating;
• Current international development;
• The future vision of FIFS;
• National federation recognition;
• Government relations;
• Domestic and international competitions;
• Junior and youth development;
• Coaching and refereeing standards;
• Freestyle Football Skating;
• Ice Football Skating;
• Continental leadership;
• Federation governance;
• Future World Cups.

The Congress strengthened the international structure of FIFS and provided a clearer framework for the next phase of global development.

Organized by FIFS and IPTC Organization

The World Congress was organized by IPTC Organization under the authority and supervision of Federation International Football Skating - FIFS.

IPTC coordinated the Congress programme, international participation, operational arrangements and event delivery as part of the wider Trabzon 2024 World Cup organization.

The successful Congress demonstrated the importance of integrating international governance, federation development and technical planning with major FIFS competitions.

By bringing federation leaders together during the World Cup, FIFS created an effective platform for both sporting competition and long-term international decision-making.

Building the Future of Football Skating

The Trabzon Congress concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen national federations, improve technical standards and expand Football Skating into new countries and competition formats.

The re-election of Dr. Mehdi Salman Pour, the appointment of continental leaders and the planned development of Freestyle and Ice Football Skating established important priorities for the following four-year period.

The FIFS World Congress 2024 will be remembered as a major international meeting that connected the history of the sport with a new global vision for its future.

About Federation International Football Skating - FIFS

Federation International Football Skating - FIFS is the international governing body responsible for the governance, regulation, development and promotion of Football Skating worldwide.

FIFS organizes World Cups and international competitions, supports national and continental federation development, establishes technical and educational standards and leads the global expansion of Football Skating disciplines.