Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah has resumed his position of the IBF, but it remains disputed and the Panama Bowling Federation have called for an Extraordinary Congress ©IBF

There are calls for the International Bowling Federation (IBF) to hold an Extraordinary Congress as the dispute continues over who is leading the world governing body.

Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah announced in October that he was returning as head of the organisation less than six months after being forced to step down following allegations of serious financial irregularities.

Last month, the Kuwaiti sent a letter to members of the IBF Executive Board demanding their resignations after he alleged, they had plotted to set up a rival organisation.

The Panama Bowling Federation (FEPABOL) have now written a letter to the IBF Executive Board that Sheikh Talal wants to sack claiming that only an Extraordinary Congress can endorse a change in the leadership and that the Interim President, Costa Rica’s Martin Faba, remains its head.

Faba is also President of the Pan American Bowling Confederation, which includes the FEPABOL. 

The Panama Bowling Federation have written to the IBF Executive Committee calling for clarity on who is leading the world governing body ©ITG
The Panama Bowling Federation have written to the IBF Executive Committee calling for clarity on who is leading the world governing body ©ITG

"We have seen the actual situation at lBF, the legal registered President for lBF, being interim or not is Mr. Martin Faba," FEPABOL President José Alvarez wrote in a letter obtained by insidethegames.

"We read that Mr. Sheikh Talal wants to return as President and it is our understanding that can only be done if a Congress approves it.

"The minutes at the Congress of May 24th approved Mr. Martin Faba to be President for rest of 2019/2023 period, so no one can change that but the Congress.

"We have been informed that the organisation is somehow stranded because actual Board cannot meet and therefore no decisions are made at all.

"It is not only about who is in control of the organisation, but also what is our organisation doing for our sport.

"Where are we heading to based on this, plus many other issues to be solved, we request urgently to have an Extraordinary Congress no later than March 2023 where we will have the 2023 elections, analyse financials, appoint committees, etcetera.

"I am copying all IBF federations and ask for individual support to our request which is based on statutes article 5.5 where 1/5 of the membership may ask for an Extraordinary Congress.

"Please send also your letter of support for my letter and together we will succeed.

"I also offer to host the Congress in Panama City where we have lots of options being our city an international flights hub."

Martin Faba was installed as Interim President of the IBF after Sheikh Talal stood down in May, but appears to have accepted his return ©IBF
Martin Faba was installed as Interim President of the IBF after Sheikh Talal stood down in May, but appears to have accepted his return ©IBF

Sheikh Talal had stepped down in May after insidethegames exclusively reported allegations had been made that money amounting to more than $10 million (£8 million/€9.5 million) was transferred in 2021 from the IBF and Asian Bowling Federation bank accounts to a personal one.

The allegations led to the Olympic Council of Asia banning Sheikh Talal from attending any of its events.

In October, Faba had claimed insidethegames' exclusive story that Sheikh Talal was planning to return as IBF President was "lies".

Since then, the IBF website has been updated to show Sheikh Talal as President.

Faba confirmed in a letter to Sheikh Talal’s Swiss lawyers Reymond & Associes last month that there was no opposition to his return but rejected claims they had colluded to establish a rival organisation with the help of the United States Bowling Congress.