OFFICIAL STATEMENT:
Over the past few months, the executives of a small group of Federations have been actively working to undermine the IPSF, while attempting to conduct a hostile takeover. The IPSF Executive was willing to address their contempt of and disregard for the future of the IPSF and pole sports by means of discussions and mediation. However, this group escalated their activity by actively attacking other National Federations belonging to the IPSF. This was done by spreading disinformation regarding the existence of the IPSF as an organisation among the members of other National Federations, specifically targeting their athletes, coaches and studios in person at the WPAC 2023 and afterwards on social media. Furthermore, this small group of Federations has progressively sought to engage with competitor federations in the countries where they met resistance from IPSF-affiliated National Federations, thereby coercing and manipulating these National Federations into working with them. Numerous official complaints were received by the IPSF Executive regarding this behaviour. This extreme ethical breach towards our other National Federations has left the IPSF Executive no other option but to cancel the membership of this small group of five federations.
The federations in question are:
Multiple copies of both official and unofficial communications among this group have been forwarded to the IPSF Executive. These communications clearly show that the five federations mentioned above are focused on creating unrealistic workloads and destabilising the IPSF team, its affiliated National Federations and the World Championships, with the apparent goal of installing their preferred leadership, rather than working together with the IPSF to build a stronger future. Their members have, among others:
All the above actions were taken by the executives of the federations, without the agreement of their members. This has become evident from the numerous queries we have received from the athletes of the five federations.
This is an unpleasant situation for all concerned. The IPSF has been placed in an untenable position by the actions of a few individuals. Unfortunately, the effect of the above actions will impact a significant number of athletes, but the wellbeing of our National Federations, our athletes and our sport must take priority. The focus of the IPSF remains the creation of an environment in which athletes can compete fairly and in good spirit, without fear of coercion or of being side-lined.
Since the announcement of the cancellation of the memberships of the five federations, three of the federations have expressed a willingness to enter into discussions with the IPSF Executive. However, a timeline for resolution has not been set as yet.
The IPSF Executive remains open to resolving this situation through open, honest and productive discussions with the five federations. However, the necessity to make provision for the affected athletes to have the comfort of a National Federation has forced the IPSF to embark on the following process:
If you are an athlete in one of these countries and would still like to compete, the following options are available to you:
As regards the issue of registration of the IPSF as a company: a decision was taken by the IPSF Executive to move the registration from the United Kingdom to the European Union, due to potential benefits to be had in the EU along with the uncertainty that Brexit continues to hold. This process has been ongoing for a number of months, but a final vote on this was required by the National Federations at the AGM. Until the matter had been voted on at the IPSF AGM, no final action could be taken. The approval was given at the AGM to continue with reregistration in the EU, and the process is expected to be finalised within the coming weeks.
We know that this will be an uncertain period for the athletes, and we are completely committed to ensuring access to competitions for these athletes.
If you have any further questions, please contact your National Federation or the IPSF at ipsfathletes@polesports.org.