BISFed recently held its 4th General Assembly, with the participation of 69 representatives from 37 BISFed Members. The meeting was held online, and the BISFed President gave a full report on progress during the last two years, highlighting the success of the postponed 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. The Treasurer confirmed that BISFed remains financially secure, having managed its affairs prudently during the pandemic.
Members approved the creation of a new Advisory Board which will be available to provide advice to the President and the BISFed Board on matters of importance for the future of the sport.
Members were also asked to vote on the composition of a new BISFed Board. 10 candidates were nominated for election by BISFed members, and in addition to the President (who was re-elected in 2019,) the BISFed Board for 2021 – 2025 is as follows:
- Vice-President – Jon Morgan (UK): Jon has been a member of the Board (as Treasurer and Chair of the Bids Committee) since 2016 and has managed BISFed´s financial affairs, steering the sport through the difficult pandemic period. Jon has over 30 years’ experience in the sport and leisure industry and is a highly successful disability sport management professional. He has a deep knowledge of disability sport and Boccia, and his wide network of contacts will support the development of Boccia over the coming years. Jon has agreed to continue in his role as Treasurer.
- BISFed Secretary General – Marta Mascarenhas (POR): Marta was also re-elected to the Board having served as a member of the BISFed Bids Committee. She has great experience and knowledge as the organiser of multiple BISFed-sanctioned competitions as well as local and National boccia in Portugal.
- BISFed Members at Large
Elsa Matthee (RSA): Elsa returns to the BISFed Board having previously served as a Board Member between 2013 and 2017. Elsa has served as the Chair of the BISFed Classification Committee since 2009. She has been involved in Boccia for the past 19 years and has recently focused on the development of Boccia, especially in Africa.
Wai Ki Lau (HKG): ‘Ricky’ has been elected to the Board for his first term and will bring his knowledge of the Rules and Competition system as well as his experience as Boccia Coach for Hong Kong, as a BISFed Coach Educator and 9 years working for the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.
Itzik Azoulay (ISR): Itzik will serve for the first time on the BISFed Board and comes with a wealth of experience from having served on BISFed’s Competitions & Rules Committee since 2017. He has been the Israel Team Manager since 2012 and head of the Israeli Boccia Committee since 2015.
Romuald Schmidt (POL): Romuald will serve on the BISFed Board for the first time and brings his long experience as a Boccia competition host organiser and of sport in a wider context. He has been Chef de mission for NPC Poland at the Paralympic Games and is President of the Polish Boccia Association and a member of the Polish National Paralympic Committee Board.
The President thanked all the outgoing Board Members for their excellent and long service to BISFed: Martin Lam (2013 – 2021); Dina Sotiriadi (2014 – 2021); Marcella Ramon (2017 – 2021) and Sung Hee Kang, (Appointed Board Member, 2019 – 2021.)
