The draft agreement will see the WIBC renamed as the International Indoor Bowls Council and affiliate to World Bowls.

The WIBC, established in 1983, runs the indoor version of the popular sport and organises the annual World Indoor Bowls Championships which, since 1999, has taken place at Potters Resort in Hopton-on-sea in the United Kingdom.

The next World Indoor Bowls Championships are due to start on January 12. 

World Bowls is recognised as the International Federation for the sport and is affiliated to the Global Association of International Sports Federations, the umbrella organisation for Olympic and non-Olympic sports. 

Based in Edinburgh, it has 56 Member National Authorities in 53 countries worldwide.

The WIBC, based in Melton Mowbray in England, has just nine members with only Canada and The Netherlands from outside the British Isles.

The new deal could also help demonstrate that the sport is united and aid its bid for recognition by the International Olympic Committee, the next step to maybe one day becoming part of the Games programme.  

"The proposed new agreement between World Bowls and World Indoor Bowls Council represents a tremendous step forward for the sport of bowls," World Bowls President John Bell said.

"It is a classic example of two administrative bodies working together to enhance the quality, credibility and profile of world events. 

"Importantly too, it will also provide consistency of global governance and promotion at all levels of the sport and elevate the status of the indoor code worldwide."

Sandra Bailie, President of WIBC added: "On behalf of the World Indoor Bowls Council Executive, I am delighted to endorse this positive move. 

"The sport of bowls worldwide will undoubtedly be the principal benefactor."