Due to the pandemic and the ongoing geopolitical crisis, international bandy has had an involuntary break. It will now end with a World Championships for both men (A and B groups) and women decided at the same time in the same arena for the first time. FIB has approved the application of the Swedish Bandy Federation (SBF) to host the 2023 FIB World Championships for both Women and Men.
The tournaments will be held in Sweden 2023. The place will be Åby, Växjö where the FIB Women’s World Championships was successfully hosted in 2022. The most recent Men’s World Championship for A group – won by Russia over Sweden – was held in Vänersborg, Sweden in 2019.
Gisela Stockhaus
Gisela Stockhaus is chairman in the Swedish Bandy Association, the organizer of the championships:
–I am so happy that we are creating something new in international bandy, Sweden will be the first to arrange women’s and men’s World Championships at the same time. It is important that we get to compete internationally to continue to develop our sport.
-Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Regards Gisela Stockhaus.
Irkutsk in Russia was the host of the 2020 edition of FIB’s flagship event, where the B-group was concluded with the victory of Hungary. The A group competition could unfortunately not start that year nor in 2021 or 2022 because of the pandemic and recently because of the geo-political situation. Russia and Belarus will not participate in the 2023 championships due to that ongoing situation.
Stein Pedersen
Stein Pedersen is FIB President:
-The Swedish Bandy Federation does a tremendous job to organize the most important event, especially after some years of inactivity. We are very grateful for that.
-It is very important for our teams and athletes to be back on the International Arena.
Attila Adamfi
Attila Adamfi, FIB Acting General Secretary:
-Bandy will finally fill the arena again and the years of training and preparation of Athletes will conclude in high level games.
-With this historical event we also make a significant step towards Gender Balance by combining the Championships for women and men and for the first time!
FIB and SBF will work in close cooperation to prepare the event in the best possible way during the unusually short remaining period.