Dear WAF Members

This is my report as senior Vice-President of WAF and President of EAF. As well as before, in year 2009 the popularization and development of Armwrestling in Europe was our main purpose. They were conducted (and until end of the year there are more) many national and international tournaments in the countries-member of EAF.

Exceptionally successful was lead the IXX European Armwrestling Championship in Sofia (Bulgaria) from 1st to 6th June 2009, regardless of the World financial crisis. The competition was conducted on a highest level. The finals in every from the 4 competition days were live-broadcasted from 17:00 to 19:30 in 22 countries, and the full competition days were translated free of charge by internet in 22. More and mode medias in Europe show interest in our sport. During the European Championship, the new system for score-sheeting was successfully tested and has shown excellent results. Every day the qualifications were beginning from 9:00 a.m. and ending at 1:00 p.m. In this European tournament were taken part more that 480 competitors. For a year in a row it was lead doping control. From all tests only 1 test has appeared as positive, but the forbidden substance was not an anabolic steroid. It is clear, that with every passing year, the positive doping tests are decreasing, that is a good result for the work of the leadership of EAF. For a first time it was lead a doping seminar for all participants, thanks to the responsible for doping Vice-President of EAF, Dr. Ahmet Hadimoglu.

The championship was lead by very good referring. It was formed a referee-panel of EAF. For regret, some of the national federations in EAF (Italy, Norway, Belgium) were not able to take part in the championship. In the next 2010 year, we are waiting for some new national federations (Croatia, Serbia) to get members of EAF. From the beginning of this year, there is a new site of EAF www.eaf-armwrestling.com, where man can find results, news and other information about our activity.

All successes shown above, give reason to Directorate of EAF and to its members to feel proud and to pretend, that they are the strongest and best-organized continental federation in WAF.

Best wishes,

Assen Hadjitodorov

President of EAF

4.06.2009, Sofia, Bulgaria

List of presence:

1.Assen Hadjitodorov (Bulgaria)

2.Igor Mazurenko (Poland)

3.Vladimir Petrenko (Ukraine)

4.Alexander Filimonov (Russia)

5.Ahmet Hadimoglu (Turkey)

6.Harri Naskali (Finland)

7.Peter Veres (Slovakia) - not present

Topic of discussion:

1.According to the last year's decision of the EAF directorate on request of Harri Naskali (EAF Head Referee) Willy Deneumostier has been suspended for two years for his behavior during the European Championships as well as for his behavior during the official banquet after the World Championships 2007 in Bulgaria. Willy Deneumostier has been suspended of the period of 2 years and cannot perform any stated functions:

1.Refereeing

2.Writing protocols

3.Running competitions

4.Representing the EAF

and has been fined 500 Euros.

Willy Deneumostier has not paid the fine before the beginning of the EAF congress during the European Championships 2009 in Bulgaria. He had participated in the national championships in: Italy, Slovakia, Holland and Turkey. He has ignored the EAF decision. As a result Harri Naskali has proposed to sustain the 2 year suspension and the 500 Euro fee. Willy Deneumostier will stay suspended until he recognizes his fault and pays the 500 Euro fee. A 2 year suspension will follow.

All federations have been informed about the suspension of Willy Deneumostier. If any federation does not apply to the suspension and will invite Willy Deneumostier for a competition the EAF will react and panelize those federations.

2.As an answer to the official request of the Turkish Armwrestling Federation, The European Armwrestling Federation (EAF) would like to inform that the "Murat Boyraz Championship 2009" event, organized on the 25th of July 2009 in Istanbul (Turkey) is not organized under the patronage of the Turkish Armwrestling Federation, as well as the EAF.

During the meeting of the EAF, the vice president of the EAF who is also the president of the Turkish Federation - Ahmet Hadimoglu, has informed the board of the EAF that this event is illegal. As an answer to this, every EAF member has to accept this and not let any athlete form the EAF member countries to compete.

The board of the EAF would like to inform all athletes, as well as referees and activists that competing or any form of help in the organization of this event could result in a suspension in the EAF.