Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs

The Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs or "International Bowling Federation" (FIQ) was founded in 1952 to foster worldwide interest in amateur tenpin and ninepin bowling, as well as international friendship by encouraging world and zone tournaments and other competition between bowlers of different countries.

What is FIQ

FIQ is a Colorado non-profit corporation based in Pasig City, Manila in the Philippines, which has been granted tax-exempt status under sections 501(c)(3) and 501(j) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. FIQ oversees two separate membership disciplines:
*World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA)
*World Ninepin Bowling Association (WNBA) [http://www.fiq.org/services.htm]

Membership

The FIQ has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee since 1979 as the world governing body for the sport of Bowling. In that capacity, the FIQ is autonomous in administering the sport and is responsible to:
*Promote the development of bowling throughout the world
*Promote the Olympic movement
*Contribute to the achievement of the goals set forth in the Olympic Charter
*Establish rules for the uniform practice of bowling throughout the world
*Ensure that official bowling activities meet the requirements of the Olympic Charter

FIQ Membership InformationThe FIQ has member federations located in all five Olympic Zones. With more than 100 million participants, 10 million competitors and 250,000 bowling lanes, it is one of the largest and best organized sports in the world.

Disciplines

The FIQ regulates two disciplines - tenpin and ninepin. Ninepin is concentrated on the European continent. Tenpin is played worldwide and is divided into three geographical zones - Asian, American, and European. Both disciplines conduct numerous world and regional championships for men, women, and youth.

External links

* [http://www.fiq.org/ FIQ website]