The International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding is set to hold its Annual Congress here in the Spanish resort of Benidorm tomorrow ©IFBB

The International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB) is set to hold its Annual Congress here in the Spanish resort of Benidorm tomorrow on the eve of the opening day of the 2017 World Bodybuilding Championships.

Delegates are due to gather at the Benidorm Palace, which will also stage the Championships on Saturday (November 4) and Sunday (November 5).

The Congress will be led by IFBB President Rafael Santonja, who has flown to Spain from Czech Republic's capital Prague, where he attended the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly.

The visit was described by the IFBB as "reinforcing links with the Olympic family".

While in Prague, Santonja met with Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of ANOC and the Olympic Council of Asia.

He also took the opportunity to meet with Czech Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation President Vjačeslav Vinogradov.

Santonja and Vinogradov talked about future projects and competitions, as well as potential areas of development for the sport.

Both are due to meet again during the Congress and Championships.

IFBB President Rafael Santonja, pictured here with ANOC and OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah in Prague, will lead the world governing's body Congress ©IFBB
IFBB President Rafael Santonja, pictured here with ANOC and OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah in Prague, will lead the world governing's body Congress ©IFBB

Santonja is currently serving his third term as President, having been re-elected at the IFBB Congress in both 2010 and 2014. 

Under his leadership, the IFBB are striving to be one of the most active Federations in the world.

The IFBB is a not-for-profit international amateur sport governing body, founded in 1946. 

Brothers Ben and Joe Weider were the founding fathers of the IFBB in Montreal, with the former becoming the first President of the organisation.

Canada and the United States were the two founding countries of the IFBB but the Weider brothers worked to promote the organisation globally. 

The Mr Olympia contest was among the key events established to promote the sport.

The efforts of the Canadian brothers led to over 50 countries joining the organisation by 1970. 

The IFBB now has more than 191 affiliated nations and since 2006 have been led by Santonja.