Real facts that everyone should know !!!

It is necessary to further explain the facts as Arnie Williams continues to make untrue statements to the public.

- The President of IBFF Duško Madžarović has made it clear to Arnie Williams from the beginning that he would keep the IBFF Executive informed of every message and action implemented by Arnie. As a result, Arnie’s dispute is aimed at the IBFF Executive, which decides on all important matters as the highest body of the federation, and not at Duško Madžarović.

- At the request and suggestion of Arnie Williams (after he had changed the IBFF rules himself, which led to the cancellation of the IBFF UNIVERSE by the IBFF Executive), it was agreed that he changes the name of the championship to ALL AFRICA. IBFF Executive agreed with his proposal, because national IBFF associations can adapt the rules to local needs/for "their" events.
After ten days of waiting for this to happen (Arnie said:” Give me just a few days.”), we found out that it was simply a diversion. He just needed the time to protect the trademark IBFF WORLDWIDE.

-The claim that there was no interest in communication on the part of the president of IBFF Duško Madžarović is absolutely NOT true. Arnie Williams got a reply to every message asking him to be part of the federation and to work together with others. Unfortunately, Arnie’s way of thinking is anti-democratic, only his opinion is correct, only his word has weight. By doing this, in addition to his arrogant behaviour, he also showed disrespect to all other members of the IBFF.

- Arnie Williams claims that he will run the federation as a business. The IBFF (International Bodybuilding Fitness Federation) is not a business. This is a registered international sports federation (like all other sports federations in the world) which operates according to the adopted statute and rules, in order to achieve the set goals in the sports field. This is not a business. Business has one goal and one goal only, and that is profit. IBFF will never become a business, and it shall never be run by any individual.

-Arnie Williams’ last attempt to communicate with the Executive was on August 16, 2024. Because members of the Executive discuss among themselves in 5 different languages, Arnie was asked to officially write his proposals, to which the Executive would also officially respond. So IBFF is always ready and open for dialogue with everyone. This time too, there was no letter, no message as Arnie had promised.

-The IBFF wants to promote our sport. However, from the beginning, the IBFF has advocated for the equality of all counties - members of the federation, and for the respect for the statute and rules. If Arnie’s secession from IBFF is the desire of all South African athletes, we will support such action and there is no need for hostile tension. Just as Andree Botha from the USA seceded from IBFF to form the new federation UIBFF - we see no problem with Arnie Williams doing the same - but with his new name and logo. This is how it works in the modern world of the 21st century. Because identity theft will always be a criminal act. Let Arnie prove how a "federation" is run as a business, and we wish him all the best in doing so.

- We kindly ask of Arnie to stop sending threatening letters involving punitive damages and lawyers to our members, because this kind of communication is simply unacceptable and not at our level of resolving disputes. On the other hand, if he wishes to appear in front of court and incriminate himself for identity theft, we shall greet his action with standing ovations.

- Our well-intentioned suggestion is that Arnie first registers the international federation with a new name and logo in South Africa. Because at this moment, the federation IBFF WORLDWIDE DOES NOT EXIST, the trademark is a private business, so the whole story is devoid of any sporting value. By doing so, it will, at least, make the new federation competitive with other registered federations in the field of bodybuilding and fitness like IFBB, NABBA, WABBA, NAC, NPC, WPF, IBFA, WFF…IBFF.

-A lot of people have already contacted us from South Africa, and we are giving a clear message to everyone, all competitors are welcome at all IBFF competitions. In the past, you were welcomed at our championships with respect, and it will be the same in the future. South Africans are always welcome.

IBFF EXECUTIVE