The Ministry of Sport and Youth of Iran issued an official letter No. D/30/22698 dated 14/09/2026 to the president of the Bowling and Billiard Federation of Iran in defense of the Iran Petanque and Bowls Association (IPBA). The letter stated that:
With reference to the letters No. 1405/246/D/424 dated 25/07/2026 and 1405/246/D/441 dated 27/07/2026 on the subject of sport disciplines, it is informed that:
The Structural planning of the country’s sports and the term of issuing and revoking licenses for sports disciplines in the form of approved structure falls within the authority and responsibilities of the ministry and sport and youth. Therefore, official notice No. D/3/13662 dated 15/07/2026 by the deputy for elite and pro sports development is in force which was defined with due consideration of the global and continental structures and the nature of the respective sports disciplines after going through the technical and expert procedures regarding the subject of organizing sports disciplines related to the International Bowls Confederation, the International Boules Federation, the International Petanque Federation and the World Bowls.
It is required to avoid any possible action toward the violation of resolutions and decisions issued by the deputy for elite and pro sports development after going through the technical and expert procedures and it is expected that the plans and activities focus of that federation to be centered on strengthening and growth of the approved sports disciplines including Bowling and Billiard.
Moreover, based on the report from the continues monitoring program on federations, it has been observed that the title of the federation’s logo and official website has been changed. Therefore, while emphasizing the avoidance of actions outside of legal processes, it is expected that the title and logo of the federation will be restored to their previous status, which includes the words “Bowling and Billiard Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, and a report on this will be submitted to this office as soon as possible.
Finally, pursuant to Part 11, Section A, Article 4 of the Law on the Objective, Duties and Authorities of the Ministry of Sport and Youth and Guidelines for Issuing and Revocation of Licenses for Sports Activities No. D/3/1082 dated 12/04/2021 it is emphasized that the discipline of Lawn Bowls will continue to operate within the framework of the Petanque and Bowls Association and under the Federation of Sports Associations in order to prevent any dispersion, divergence, disorder and confusion for those interested in the disciplines with the similarity and nature of the same activity and steps should be taken to integrate, coordinate, and discipline the structural aspects of sports disciplines and their governing bodies at the national level. This is to comply with the provisions and guidelines, cooperate in finalizing the transfer process, and inform the relevant units and implement the aforementioned matters.
Mohammadreza Abedi Mahzoun
Director General for Planning and Monitoring the Elite Sport
Copy to:
Dear Mr. Asbaghian Esteemed Deputy Minister for Elite and Pro Sport Development: for your information
Dear Mr. Akbari Soltani Esteemed Director General for Mutual Affairs of the Federations: for your information