Early July saw a delegation from the IFBA Executive visit Tomakomai to complete the site inspection as part of the hosting process. The team of four flew from Canada, The USA and Australia for the 5 day visit meeting with the Tomakomai host team as well as many dignitaries, city officials, sports officials, media, tourism officials and hotel officials. The team were ably supported by representatives from Japan Broomball with each day scheduled down to the last minute. The inspection took in each arena as well as many of the hotels that will be used along with visits to the Mayors office and many meetings where support for the 2014 IFBA World Broomball Championships was offered without reservation.
Mayor of Tomakomai Mr Hiro Iwakura (centre) and Hajime Kubo Japan Broomball (right foreground) at the Mayors Office Tomakomai
A full report is currently being compiled by the team and will be presented to the Tomakomai host team in the near future. Further, details regarding the tournament will shortly be posted to the IFBA web site which will include registration, hotel, transportation and banquet ticket details. On offer will be the regular 5 divisions (Men’s World Cup, Men’s Challenge Cup, Women’s, Mixed and Masters) Each division will be restricted to eight teams. Interest is already high for this event and it is urged that those who are planning to attend this significant and exciting event make their interest known to their member association. The event will be using 4 ice rinks with 2 side by side. As a matter of interest one of the rinks will be a brand new facility with the 2014 IFBA World Broomball Championships being the first to make use of the new rink. It is currently under construction and will be ready before October 2014. Further information will be posted as soon as it is received with invitations to member associations having already been sent asking for national team numbers. Note: All images from Tomakomai.
Tomakomai City Mascot