The FAI Executive Board has named Markus Haggeney as the new Secretary General of FAI, the World Air Sports Federation, with immediate effect. Mr Haggeney, who had been appointed FAI Acting Secretary General in December last year, formally accepted the new position.

In his role as FAI Sports & Events Director, which he assumed in 2014, he successfully and continuously drove air sports forward. He also strove to cultivate ties with all the Federation stakeholders, while building new bridges with the sports world and beyond.

Markus Haggeney said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take up this new challenge. With the FAI Office, and in collaboration with all the FAI community, the objective is now to ensure that FAI gets stronger and stronger as an organisation. Stabilisation and consolidation are the key words for the times ahead.”

FAI President Bob Henderson said: “I am very pleased that Markus has accepted the position of Secretary General and I believe that this is a good decision for the future of the FAI.”

A 60-year-old German, Markus Haggeney’s dedication to sport dates back to his childhood and led him to a lifelong commitment to air sports.

After competing internationally in several ballooning championships, he decided to step through the looking glass and became the event organiser, official and contest director of numerous competitions and events. Willing to take an even more active role in the sports community and to participate in the rule-making and organisation of the sport, he represented Germany in ballooning for 15 years, before joining the FAI Office in Lausanne in 2014.

A seasoned pilot and official, Markus has also developed extensive corporate activities within and away from the air sports world, which gives him the insight into the business world that is vital for International Federations nowadays. He is currently training to become a paragliding pilot.