8th November 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland
International Bowling Federation (IBF) reaffirms commitment to United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework initiative with certification parameters for String pinspotting technology
After extensive research and consideration, the International Bowling Federation (“IBF”) is certifying string pinspotter technology and has approved the use of string machines for sport leagues and sport competitive tournament play worldwide (“Sport Bowling“). Centers wishing to use string machines for Sport Bowling must comply with newly defined technical requirements. These requirements are intended to ensure consistency across approved string machine centers (“IBF Compliant String Center”) and maximum alignment with free-fall centers.
The IBF fully supports any federation around the world that allows the use of string machines for Sport Bowling. Specifically, Bowling Federations that:
• Extend their memberships to IBF Compliant String Centers.
• Recognize Sport Bowling leagues and tournaments which are held in IBF Compliant String Centers.
• Recognize bowler averages and scores bowled on string machines in IBF Compliant String
Centers.
The IBF approves string centers for Sport Bowling to ensure bowling operators and investors have a real choice in new technology — both free-fall and string technology are now viable options for Sport Bowling. Now, operators and investors who choose string machines as a way to make their businesses more efficient, profitable and sustainable, can continue to offer and engage in Sport Bowling.
IBF CEO Andrew Oram said “COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, a significant impact on bowling centers throughout the world. Now more than ever, new technology is needed as a new option and consideration to help centers overcome the financial damage as a result of mandatory shutdowns and ongoing social distancing measures imposed in most countries. We could not sit still, desiring instead to help operators and investors with new ways to improve their operations to ensure long term growth and prosperity for the sport.”
Oram continued “as part of honouring our commitment to the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework initiative, this decision was made to ensure a more environmentally and economically sustainable business option for bowling centers worldwide. The sport of bowling is not corrupted nor damaged or diminished by the inclusion of approved string centers and string technology as an additional playing field. An additional playing field will only make the game and the
sport of bowling more engaging, attractive and challenging for bowlers and fans alike.”
Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) President Raffaele Chiulli commented “I would like to congratulate the International Bowling Federation for taking leadership and underlining its commitment to the UN Sport for Climate Action Framework initiative by approving the use of string machines for sports leagues and competitive tournaments globally. I am delighted to see another Member of the GAISF family leading by example and adopting innovative, sustainable technologies. I have no doubt that the IBF’s proactivity will lead to even more exciting opportunities for the current and next generation of bowlers around the world.”
IBF_Compliant String Center Requirements
About IBF
The International Bowling Federation represents member federations and bowlers from across the world. At the heart of what we do, uniting us all, is our mission to connect the world with the greatness of bowling.
Connecting further, Master, for all. Ninepin, Tenpin, academy, para, male, female, young, old; whoever you are, wherever you come from, our sport crosses cultures. Truly inclusive, united by a passion for bowling, we bring the world closer together by innovating our sport with technology and data.
Championing the best of bowling. Guardians of our sport, we show bowling at its best. By removing the complexity and barriers to play, without compromising the integrity of our sport.
IBF is the International governing body for the sport of Tenpin, Ninepin and Para Bowling representing five continental zones and 114 member federations.
IBF was recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1979 as the world governing body for the sport of Bowling and by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 2019 for Para Bowling.
