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THE HISTORY OF WORLD SPORT.
SIX DECADES OF INTERNATIONAL SPORT IN LITHUANIA.
THE GEOGRAPHY, TRADITIONS AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WFF-WBBF EVENTS.
IS THERE ANOTHER SPORTS ORGANIZATION IN LITHUANIA THAT CAN MATCH THIS SCALE?
There are sporting events that come and go.
There are championships that become entries in official records.
There are victories that become part of statistics.
But there are also traditions that survive generations.
The history of WFF-WBBF in Lithuania can be described as precisely such a tradition.
It is a history measured not only in years, but in decades, international championships, hundreds of events, dozens of Lithuanian cities, thousands of athletes, and a truly global geographical reach.
In May 2027, Klaipėda will proudly host the celebration of a remarkable milestone – the 60th anniversary of the “Amber Prix,” one of the three oldest traditional international competitions in the world.
Sixty years.
This is far more than a symbolic number.
Over six decades, entire generations of athletes have changed. States and political systems have changed. Sports infrastructure has evolved. Communication technologies have transformed. The world itself has changed.
Yet some sporting traditions have endured.
The “Amber Prix” tradition has survived.
And it continues today.
NIDA – ANOTHER PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF WORLD SPORT
On October 24–26, 2026, Nida will host the 37th World Professional and Amateur Championships.
This is not simply another date on the international sporting calendar.
It is another chapter in a long-standing tradition that brings the international sports community together in Lithuania.
Nida will become a meeting place for sport, international cooperation and the unique atmosphere of Lithuania’s Baltic coast.
But the significance of this event must be viewed in a much broader historical context.
Behind the 37th World Championships stand decades of organizational experience.
Behind every championship stand people.
Behind every international event are athletes, coaches, judges, organizers, partners and host cities.
And behind all of this stands tradition.
60 YEARS – WHEN SPORT BECOMES HISTORY
Throughout six decades of activity, the World WFF-WBBF Federation, operating under various legal statuses, has organized and continues to organize hundreds of international and national sporting events in countries around the world.
Today, the federation brings together members from 141 countries, representing every continent.
That is the scale of a truly international sports organization.
Yet Lithuania holds a particularly significant place in this history.
During this period, WFF-WBBF has organized more than 100 sporting events of various levels in Lithuania.
World Championships.
European Championships.
“Amber Prix” tournaments.
“Universe” competitions.
International and national championships.
Hundreds of events over six decades are not merely a quantitative indicator.
They are evidence of consistent, long-term work.
LITHUANIA AS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING MAP
The scale of this history becomes even more impressive when we examine the geography of the events.
WFF-WBBF competitions have been held repeatedly in:
Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Panevėžys, Telšiai, Palanga, Kretinga, Mažeikiai, Ukmergė, Kėdainiai, Kaišiadorys, Nida, Šilutė, Trakai, Vilkaviškis, Zarasai, Ignalina, Raudondvaris, Kazlų Rūda, and other cities and districts throughout Lithuania.
The capital.
The major cities.
Resort towns.
Regional centres.
Smaller Lithuanian communities.
This is not simply a random collection of points on a map.
It is the geography of six decades of sporting history.
It demonstrates that international sport in Lithuania was not developed only in the capital or in the largest cities.
It travelled throughout the country.
From city to city.
From region to region.
From generation to generation.
And together with the athletes, the world came to Lithuania.
INTERNATIONAL SPORT BEYOND THE MAJOR ARENAS
One aspect of this history deserves particular attention.
An international sporting event is much more than a sports hall or an arena.
It is also a representation of a city, a region and a country.
When athletes from different nations arrive in a Lithuanian city, cultures, sporting traditions and people come together.
For this reason, every international championship becomes not only a sporting event, but also an opportunity to present Lithuania to the world.
The geography of WFF-WBBF events demonstrates that this process has continued in Lithuania for decades.
Cooperation has taken place with Lithuania’s highest state institutions, municipal authorities, mayors and local organizations.
This is an important part of the story.
International sport did not exist in isolation.
It became part of the life of Lithuanian cities and regions.
FROM KLAIPĖDA TO NIDA – FROM LITHUANIA TO THE WORLD
Today, it is particularly symbolic to speak about Klaipėda and Nida.
In 2027, Klaipėda will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the “Amber Prix.”
In October 2026, Nida will host the 37th World Professional and Amateur Championships.
Two locations on Lithuania’s Baltic coast.
Two important milestones in international sporting history.
And between them – six decades.
This reminds us that a sporting tradition is not a museum exhibit.
It is not simply a chapter of the past locked away in archives.
A true tradition lives as long as it continues.
WHAT DO THE NUMBERS TELL US?
Sometimes a few numbers are enough to understand the scale of history.
60 years – the tradition of the “Amber Prix.”
37 World Championships – evidence of a long-standing international competitive tradition.
More than 100 events in Lithuania – the scale of international and national sporting activity.
141 countries – the federation’s current international reach.
Every continent in the world – the global dimension of the organization.
Dozens of Lithuanian cities and districts – the geographical reach of its events across the country.
But numbers are only the beginning.
Behind every number are people.
Behind every event is a story.
Behind every medal is an athlete’s dedication.
Behind every championship is the responsibility of organizers.
And behind six decades stands the continuity of generations.
IS THERE ANOTHER ORGANIZATION IN LITHUANIA THAT CAN COMPARE?
It is therefore worth asking a question that is neither a rhetorical trick nor simply a promotional statement.
Is there another sports organization in Lithuania that can demonstrate six decades of international sporting traditions, more than one hundred events of various levels in the country, a history of World and European Championships, such a broad geographical presence across Lithuanian cities, and international representation in 141 countries around the world?
The answer does not necessarily have to be found in words.
The answer can be found in history.
In archives.
In competition records.
In photographs.
In the memories of athletes.
In the cities that hosted the events.
And in the people who created and continue this tradition.
A HISTORY THAT CONTINUES
There are countless sports organizations around the world.
There are thousands of championships.
There are countless tournaments.
But not every sports organization has the opportunity to look back and say:
“We were here six decades ago. We are here today. And we intend to be here tomorrow.”
That is the essence of a genuine sporting tradition.
Not only the past.
Continuity.
Not only history.
The future.
In May 2027, Klaipėda will become the city where the 60-year history of the “Amber Prix” will be celebrated.
In October 2026, Nida will become another international meeting point for athletes from around the world.
And the entire geography of WFF-WBBF events in Lithuania reminds us of one simple but profoundly important truth:
the international sporting history of Lithuania was created not only in the capital and not only in the largest arenas. It was created throughout the country.
From Vilnius to Klaipėda.
From Kaunas to Panevėžys.
From Palanga to Nida.
From the largest cities to the smallest regions of Lithuania.
Across decades.
Across generations.
Through hundreds of events.
THIS IS MORE THAN SPORTING HISTORY
It is part of the history of sport in Lithuania.
It is a history of international cooperation.
It is the history of people who worked for sport for decades.
It is the history of Lithuanian cities that welcomed athletes from around the world.
It is a tradition that travelled from Lithuania to the world – and from the world back to Lithuania.
Therefore, the 60th anniversary of the “Amber Prize” is more than an anniversary.
It is a testament to six decades in which a sporting tradition became history.
And history becomes truly meaningful when it is not only remembered, but continued.
60 YEARS.
37TH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
MORE THAN 100 EVENTS IN LITHUANIA.
141 COUNTRIES.
EVERY CONTINENT OF THE WORLD.
DOZENS OF LITHUANIAN CITIES.
SIX DECADES OF INTERNATIONAL SPORT.
THE HISTORY OF WFF-WBBF CONTINUES.
SIX DECADES OF INTERNATIONAL SPORT IN LITHUANIA.
THE GEOGRAPHY, TRADITIONS AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WFF-WBBF EVENTS.
IS THERE ANOTHER SPORTS ORGANIZATION IN LITHUANIA THAT CAN MATCH THIS SCALE?
There are sporting events that come and go.
There are championships that become entries in official records.
There are victories that become part of statistics.
But there are also traditions that survive generations.
The history of WFF-WBBF in Lithuania can be described as precisely such a tradition.
It is a history measured not only in years, but in decades, international championships, hundreds of events, dozens of Lithuanian cities, thousands of athletes, and a truly global geographical reach.
In May 2027, Klaipėda will proudly host the celebration of a remarkable milestone – the 60th anniversary of the “Amber Prix,” one of the three oldest traditional international competitions in the world.
Sixty years.
This is far more than a symbolic number.
Over six decades, entire generations of athletes have changed. States and political systems have changed. Sports infrastructure has evolved. Communication technologies have transformed. The world itself has changed.
Yet some sporting traditions have endured.
The “Amber Prix” tradition has survived.
And it continues today.
NIDA – ANOTHER PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF WORLD SPORT
On October 24–26, 2026, Nida will host the 37th World Professional and Amateur Championships.
This is not simply another date on the international sporting calendar.
It is another chapter in a long-standing tradition that brings the international sports community together in Lithuania.
Nida will become a meeting place for sport, international cooperation and the unique atmosphere of Lithuania’s Baltic coast.
But the significance of this event must be viewed in a much broader historical context.
Behind the 37th World Championships stand decades of organizational experience.
Behind every championship stand people.
Behind every international event are athletes, coaches, judges, organizers, partners and host cities.
And behind all of this stands tradition.
60 YEARS – WHEN SPORT BECOMES HISTORY
Throughout six decades of activity, the World WFF-WBBF Federation, operating under various legal statuses, has organized and continues to organize hundreds of international and national sporting events in countries around the world.
Today, the federation brings together members from 141 countries, representing every continent.
That is the scale of a truly international sports organization.
Yet Lithuania holds a particularly significant place in this history.
During this period, WFF-WBBF has organized more than 100 sporting events of various levels in Lithuania.
World Championships.
European Championships.
“Amber Prix” tournaments.
“Universe” competitions.
International and national championships.
Hundreds of events over six decades are not merely a quantitative indicator.
They are evidence of consistent, long-term work.
LITHUANIA AS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING MAP
The scale of this history becomes even more impressive when we examine the geography of the events.
WFF-WBBF competitions have been held repeatedly in:
Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Panevėžys, Telšiai, Palanga, Kretinga, Mažeikiai, Ukmergė, Kėdainiai, Kaišiadorys, Nida, Šilutė, Trakai, Vilkaviškis, Zarasai, Ignalina, Raudondvaris, Kazlų Rūda, and other cities and districts throughout Lithuania.
The capital.
The major cities.
Resort towns.
Regional centres.
Smaller Lithuanian communities.
This is not simply a random collection of points on a map.
It is the geography of six decades of sporting history.
It demonstrates that international sport in Lithuania was not developed only in the capital or in the largest cities.
It travelled throughout the country.
From city to city.
From region to region.
From generation to generation.
And together with the athletes, the world came to Lithuania.
INTERNATIONAL SPORT BEYOND THE MAJOR ARENAS
One aspect of this history deserves particular attention.
An international sporting event is much more than a sports hall or an arena.
It is also a representation of a city, a region and a country.
When athletes from different nations arrive in a Lithuanian city, cultures, sporting traditions and people come together.
For this reason, every international championship becomes not only a sporting event, but also an opportunity to present Lithuania to the world.
The geography of WFF-WBBF events demonstrates that this process has continued in Lithuania for decades.
Cooperation has taken place with Lithuania’s highest state institutions, municipal authorities, mayors and local organizations.
This is an important part of the story.
International sport did not exist in isolation.
It became part of the life of Lithuanian cities and regions.
FROM KLAIPĖDA TO NIDA – FROM LITHUANIA TO THE WORLD
Today, it is particularly symbolic to speak about Klaipėda and Nida.
In 2027, Klaipėda will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the “Amber Prix.”
In October 2026, Nida will host the 37th World Professional and Amateur Championships.
Two locations on Lithuania’s Baltic coast.
Two important milestones in international sporting history.
And between them – six decades.
This reminds us that a sporting tradition is not a museum exhibit.
It is not simply a chapter of the past locked away in archives.
A true tradition lives as long as it continues.
WHAT DO THE NUMBERS TELL US?
Sometimes a few numbers are enough to understand the scale of history.
60 years – the tradition of the “Amber Prix.”
37 World Championships – evidence of a long-standing international competitive tradition.
More than 100 events in Lithuania – the scale of international and national sporting activity.
141 countries – the federation’s current international reach.
Every continent in the world – the global dimension of the organization.
Dozens of Lithuanian cities and districts – the geographical reach of its events across the country.
But numbers are only the beginning.
Behind every number are people.
Behind every event is a story.
Behind every medal is an athlete’s dedication.
Behind every championship is the responsibility of organizers.
And behind six decades stands the continuity of generations.
IS THERE ANOTHER ORGANIZATION IN LITHUANIA THAT CAN COMPARE?
It is therefore worth asking a question that is neither a rhetorical trick nor simply a promotional statement.
Is there another sports organization in Lithuania that can demonstrate six decades of international sporting traditions, more than one hundred events of various levels in the country, a history of World and European Championships, such a broad geographical presence across Lithuanian cities, and international representation in 141 countries around the world?
The answer does not necessarily have to be found in words.
The answer can be found in history.
In archives.
In competition records.
In photographs.
In the memories of athletes.
In the cities that hosted the events.
And in the people who created and continue this tradition.
A HISTORY THAT CONTINUES
There are countless sports organizations around the world.
There are thousands of championships.
There are countless tournaments.
But not every sports organization has the opportunity to look back and say:
“We were here six decades ago. We are here today. And we intend to be here tomorrow.”
That is the essence of a genuine sporting tradition.
Not only the past.
Continuity.
Not only history.
The future.
In May 2027, Klaipėda will become the city where the 60-year history of the “Amber Prix” will be celebrated.
In October 2026, Nida will become another international meeting point for athletes from around the world.
And the entire geography of WFF-WBBF events in Lithuania reminds us of one simple but profoundly important truth:
the international sporting history of Lithuania was created not only in the capital and not only in the largest arenas. It was created throughout the country.
From Vilnius to Klaipėda.
From Kaunas to Panevėžys.
From Palanga to Nida.
From the largest cities to the smallest regions of Lithuania.
Across decades.
Across generations.
Through hundreds of events.
THIS IS MORE THAN SPORTING HISTORY
It is part of the history of sport in Lithuania.
It is a history of international cooperation.
It is the history of people who worked for sport for decades.
It is the history of Lithuanian cities that welcomed athletes from around the world.
It is a tradition that travelled from Lithuania to the world – and from the world back to Lithuania.
Therefore, the 60th anniversary of the “Amber Prize” is more than an anniversary.
It is a testament to six decades in which a sporting tradition became history.
And history becomes truly meaningful when it is not only remembered, but continued.
60 YEARS.
37TH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
MORE THAN 100 EVENTS IN LITHUANIA.
141 COUNTRIES.
EVERY CONTINENT OF THE WORLD.
DOZENS OF LITHUANIAN CITIES.
SIX DECADES OF INTERNATIONAL SPORT.
THE HISTORY OF WFF-WBBF CONTINUES.