January 30, 2006

Canadian Bandy Hall of Fame Announces First Inductees

The Canadian Bandy Federation is please to announce the creation of the Canadian Bandy Hall of Fame. Bandy Canada is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in the year 2006, and felt that the time is right to recognize its builders, athletes and promoters. The sport was introduced to Canada in 1985 as a result of a young Swede, Roger Jakobsson, who traveled to Manitoba and Winnipeg to introduce the sport. Roger was funded through grants from the Swedish Bandy Federation, the International Bandy Federation and ESSINGE Bandy Club. The individual that was instrumental in this development, was the President of ESSINGE Bandy Club Karl-Gustov Jansson.

Karl-Gustov Jansson, age 75, is a former lifeguard/bodyguard to the Swedish King and Queen and is married to Ann Margarete Blomdal. He had been working with the ESSINGE IK Bandy Club since the mid 1950's, and on an international basis since the mid 1980's. Karl-Gustov coordinated Roger's involvement, both morally and financially, and invited Team Canada to a training camp in Falun, Sweden on three occasions and arranged friendship matches and involvement in Ljusdal World Cup.. He coordinated the funding of the camp through many resources. Karl was always there to welcome the players and extend a very friendly embrace. It is people like him that made the transition to become a member of the Bandy family very easy. Karl still visits the Canadian teams when they are in Sweden and arranges many activities for Team Canada. He is a real friend of Canadian Bandy and was involved from the start and to this day, still keeps in contact.

Roger Jakobsson is a school leader, and former player for Hammerby, Helenelund, and ESSINGE. Coaching since the mid 1980's, Roger took Team Canada to training camps, World Cup and exhibition games for three years. He made presentations to schools and University students and visited Winnipeg for 3 winters in the mid eighties. He coached elite clubs such as Sirius, Essinge, and Gustavsberg. He also coached AIK ladies, to Swedish Championships. Currently, he is coaching the Swedish National Female team and will be taking them to Roseville, Minnesota in February. Roger is married to Britta, and has two children, Viktor (13) and Hanna (10).

The Canadian Bandy Hall of Fame is pleased to recognize these very worthy gentlemen. As a result of their dedication to Bandy, this sport was "born" in Canada. Bandy Manitoba/Canada is a member of Sport Manitoba, the Canadian Olympic Committee and is a registered athletic organization. These men were presented with plaques of recognition during the World Bandy Championships held in Stockholm, Sweden on January 30, 2006.

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