The GAISF Council convened in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland this weekend, to consider a range of topics important to the overall sport landscape and the organisation’s future.
The historic United World Wrestling (UWW) headquarters was a dynamic and inspiring location, which took Council Members out of the GAISF office and into the heart of one its Members’ decision-making hubs.
The Fédération Internationale de Teqball (FITEQ) was granted Observer Status by the Council, and becomes the 13th current observer. The Council also approved the renewal of Observer Status for both the International Padel Federation (FIPA) and International Rugby League (RLIF). Observer Status is an opportunity for new and emerging International Federations (IFs) to join and learn from the wider sports movement, with guidelines set out by the Membership Commission which help each IF to develop and grow.
Teqball is a new football-based sport, which is suitable for professional footballers as well as amateur enthusiasts whose ambition is to develop their technical skills, concentration and stamina on a specially designed curved board, resembling a table tennis table. Teqball also recently featured as part of the cultural programme for the highly successful GAISF World Urban Games in Budapest last year.
The GAISF Council Meeting also reviewed some important developments on its own governance and match-fixing policies, and approved measures to build effective institutional relationships to ensure GAISF is continually representing its Members as the United Voice of Sports.
In 2018, sports governance consultancy I Trust Sport conducted a comprehensive and independent good governance review of individual ARISF and AIMS Members, and shared its results at the GAISF 2019 General Assembly in Gold Coast. The GAISF Council agreed that, in 2020, a follow up study would be conducted to review the progress and success of the recommended implementations.
As a multi-sport games host, GAISF is working in cooperation with the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions on its own Rules on Prevention of Manipulation of Competition, which will be submitted to Members to approve at the 2020 GAISF General Assembly in Beijing.
GAISF continues to represent IFs in several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), working to build effective institutional relationships for the benefit of its Members. The GAISF Council reviewed the work done and the progress made within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
In particular, the Council reaffirmed GAISF’s support for the Sport4Impact’s biannual forum, taking place in May this year, which focuses on integrity and social inclusion. Given the importance of these subjects to sport and IFs, GAISF will give patronage to the event.
The Council also discussed the ongoing submissions from International Sports Federations that have already submitted their application for the first round of the GAISF Sustainability Awards. Members can submit their application by 31 January 2020. Please follow the link for more information: https://gaisf.sport/sustainabilityaward/
Finally, the Council reviewed the success of last year’s IF Forum and Regional SportAccord and was updated on the preparations for the 18th edition of SportAccord 2020, which will take place in Beijing, China, from 19 to 24 April.
Following the Council meeting, GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli, said:
“Today’s meeting was very productive, and we were able to establish a number of key principles for the development of GAISF and its Members. From good governance to welcoming new International Sport Federations, GAISF continues to grow.
“I am also very happy that we had the opportunity to discuss and agree on the main principles relevant to the Global Sports Calendar, which will be coordinated with the International Olympic Committee and all key stakeholders. I would like to thank each member of the Council for their time and effort in helping to develop and promote the role of sport and GAISF around the world.”
Source: gaisf.sport
