Interview

IFF general secretary John Liljelund: „Floorball has got to be an Olympic Game“.

The international Floorball Federation (IFF) wants to be ready in 2015, when the international Olympic Committee is making the decision upon a short list of sports, which are ready to join the Olympic Games 2024. A raise in the public perception and media presence is needed. IFF general secretary John Liljelund thinks, that a lot of work is needed if the Floorball association and Community wants to become an Olympic sport.

What has to be fulfilled for a sport to take part in the Olympic games?

The list of the criteria of the IOC is endless. There are exact questions about how many players the IFF would want to let play in the Olympic Games. Another question is about the necessary infrastructure. Beyond, Floorball has to be an universal sport, which means that it has to be played in at least about 75 to 85 countries. It finally will not be admitted until there is a high power density and an exciting competition. Sweden and Switzerland therefore have to make less goals (smiles). On top of these the criteria are mostly concerning the knowledge of the sport, image and marketing.

Could you please explain the last two criteria, image and marketing?

The naming of our sport is for example not unified. In Switzerland, one calls it unihockey, in Finland salibandy, in Sweden and Norway innnebandy and finally it is often called Floorball. It would be a pity if the members of the IOC declared in their decision that they never heard of Floorball. And then they walk home and say: “Yes, my child plays unihockey. It’s a great sport”. A step in the right direction would also be that we give players more attention. The fans ought to have somebody to identify themselves with.

How realistic is it that Floorball gets on the list of the IOC in 2015?

We’re making all necessary decisions, but a hard time is awaiting us. The individual associations and the whole Floorball family have to work together. I think that the best chance to get on the list will be in 2019.

You have already talked about the high victories in this WFC. Were these hands-down victories bad advertising for Floorball?

The problem with these one-sided games is that they make it easier for the journalists to write negative things about them. Even spectators could say that they don’t like Floorball anymore because of “boring games”. In men’s Floorball, the state is a little different. In the moment, only 4 teams are able to win a WFC. So it is important for us to raise the power density amongst the other participants.

How can a higher power density be reached?

The four big nations (Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and Czech Republic) should train other nations in their training- and match-philosophy. The difference to other countries has to be diminished urgently. The aim is that 16 teams fight against themselves for quarter finals and 10 fight against themselves for half finals.

Why should Floorball be an Olympic game?

We are a dynamic sport, which interests juvenile people. Floorball features 60 Minutes of exciting situations: Shots, saves, duels, blocks, fouls, tactical variations and fast moves.

The IOC cares about media presence. How satisfied are you with the perception of this WFC?

There are around 120 accredited journalists here in St. Gallen. For a women’s WFC, this is a good amount. Although I don’t understand German, I like the good coverage in the local media. The WFC homepage is also having many views. I’m satisfied with the media presence.

How satisfied are you with the amount of spectators?

After the first five days there were 14‘700 spectators at all. This would be fourth best value of all times. I like the colour magenta everywhere around this WFC, which makes it easier for people to recognize the WFC. I have never seen such a perfect overall picture in a WFC before.