International Federation of Poker fails in SportAccord bid
The International Federation of Poker (IFP) global governing body has failed in a bid to become a member of SportAccord, the umbrella organisation for Olympic and non-Olympic governing bodies.
The organisation had submitted an application ahead of this year’s edition of the SportAccord Convention, which runs from April 2-7 in Aarhus, Denmark.
During the General Assembly at next month’s event, SportAccord members will vote on whether to permit new federations into the organisation.
The IFP governs sports poker and promotes poker and its Match Poker variation as a skill game and a mind sport.
However, in a statement published by Insidethegames.com, IFP president Patrick Nally confirmed that SportAccord will not consider the organisation’s application at the Convention.
“Naturally it was disappointing to receive such news, both for me and – more importantly – for players and officials representing our 60 National Federations around the world who have collectively worked very hard, over a number of years, in our quest for SportAccord membership,” Nally said.
“We have always believed that acceptance by SportAccord into the global sports family would assist us in promoting match poker, the team-based, non-gambling variant of the world's most popular card game, worldwide.
“It is important to state how grateful IFP is for the support we have received from SportAccord president Patrick Baumann, the SportAccord Membership Commission and the SportAccord Council to date, and for their promise of continued support as we look to enhance our application.
“I look forward to attending the meeting for SportAccord applicants due to be held in Lausanne later this year and to our application being considered by the membership at a future General Assembly.”
The World Armwrestling Federation and Rugby League International Federation are also believed to have had membership applications turned down.
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