The name of the association is the International Bowling Federation. The duration of the IBF is unlimited. The official headquarters of the IBF are based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The purpose of the IBF is among other things:
- to encourage the international development of the sport of Bowling, Tenpin Bowling, Ninepin Bowling and any variations similar to Bowling, and of Para Bowling;
- to promote Bowling and Para Bowling as a sport of international standing and recognition;
- to promote Bowling as a sport for Olympic status, and Para Bowling as a sport for Paralympic status;
- to organize for its member federations:
- world championships,
- any major events related to Bowling or Para Bowling with international impact;
- to act as the international federation for Bowling, as well as for Para Bowling in the Olympic Movement and thereby to establish and enforce, in accordance with the Olympic Charter and International Paralympic Committee Handbook the rules concerning the playing of Bowling with the intention to be part of the Olympic Games, and of Para Bowling in the Paralympic Games, and to fulfil in respect of the sport of Bowling, and of Para Bowling the mission and role of an international federation within the Olympic movement, and within the Paralympic movement
- to encourage and support measures among its competitions and members (and their athletes) that safeguard the integrity of Bowling, and Para Bowling, and protect clean athletes through the fight against doping and the prevention of the manipulation of competitions;
- to encourage and support measures related to the medical care and health of the athletes that participate in IBF competitions;
- to secure the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in these Statutes without discrimination of any kind, such as age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, disability, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status;
