The IFA held its first ever Policy Forum to enable member federations and stakeholders to have their say on the organisation’s future.

The current Strategic Plan, covering 2019 to 2023, does not account for the pandemic or the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) new strategic roadmap, entitled Olympic Agenda 2020+5, which was unanimously approved earlier this month at the IOC’s virtual Session.

"The COVID-19 crisis has changed our world," said Verleger.

"We are therefore well advised to adapt our Strategic Plan and prepare for the new normal.

"In doing so, we want to involve all member federations and stakeholders in the discussion."

The Policy Forum featured an address from Professor Dr Holger Preuss, a member of the IOC’s Legacy and Sustainability Commission, which followed a welcome message from the President of the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS) Stephan Fox.

As well as members of the fistball family, representatives of other members of AIMS also attended the Policy Forum, including the Presidents of the International Federation of Sleddog Sports Helen Lundberg and the Federation International de Savate Dr Julie Gabriel.

Olympic Agenda 2020+5 features 15 recommendations based on feedback from the Olympic Movement, with the IFA highlighting the 11 recommendations it believes are of "particular importance" to its work.

These recommendations are fostering sustainable sporting events, reinforcing athletes rights and responsibilities, continuing to attract the best athletes, strengthening safe sport and the protection of clean athletes, harmonising the sports calendar, growing digital engagement with people, strengthening the role of sport as an enabler for the UN Sustainable Development goals, supporting refugees and populations affected by displacement, promoting corporate citizenship, good governance and innovative revenue generation models.

The IFA Board is scheduled to meet on April 17, when as well as evaluating the current Strategic Plan, it is set to consider whether updates need to be made to any of its following regulations - Code of Ethics, Conflict of Interest, Code of Conduct on Sports Betting Integrity, Rules against illegal and irregular betting and match-fixing, guidelines for the conduct of the Athletes Entourage, its Athletes Commission Election Procedure and its World Games selection and qualification criteria.