Fédération Internationale de Boules

The Fédération Internationale de Boules (F.I.B.) is the oldest of the world bocce organizations. Though the origins of bocce can be traced to before the time of Christ, it was not until the middle of this century that an international body was created to govern the sport. It was April 14, 1946 that the four charter Federation members, France, Switzerland, Italy and Monaco convened at Ville-la-Grand to give birth to the F.I.B. Its goals included standardization of the rules of the game, the promotion of international competition and to work towards the admission of bocce into the Olympic Games.

The established F.I.B. rules of play are what is referred to as the "volo" rules in which only the metal balls are used. The first world team championship was hosted by the Swiss Federation in 1947 in Geneva.

For many years the F.I.B. was directed under the capable leadership of its president, Dr. Luigi Sambuelli who also served as president of Italy's national federation, the Italian Bocce Union (U.B.I.). In 1989, Dr. Sambuelli stepped down as F.I.B. president and Mr. Alphonse Lagier-Bruno of Lyon, France was elected as his successor at the International Congress in Milan, Italy.

There are currently over thirty nations representing every continent affiliated with the F.I.B. The United States Bocce Federation has participated in every F.I.B. World Championship since 1977.

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