Important items, including NOCs and NSOs cooperation, the IWGA Athletes Committee, the Women’s leadership programme, and the Sustainability Strategy were among those presented at the IWGA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Esslingen (GER) on 1 May 2024.
About a hundred delegates and 29 International Member Federations attended the AGM at the Neckar Forum Esslingen.
In his summary of the year, IWGA President José Perurena highlighted the success of the many initiatives undertaken by the Head Office as he celebrates his 10th year anniversary with the IWGA.
I would like to extend a big thanks to all the International Federation representatives and stakeholders who actively took part in the debates, discussions, and the votes today. Your invaluable experience and knowledge are instrumental in our organisation’s growth. I would like to particularly salute the NOCs and NSOs for their attendance. The IWGA is determined to harness the vast potential of further involving you in The World Games as your contribution is imperative to the athletes’ success at the event. Also, our sincere thanks to the city of Esslingen and the Neckar Forum for hosting our Annual General Meeting. Optimum conditions were provided for an excellent and productive reunion”, Perurena noted.
Following the unanimous approval of the 2023 AGM Minutes, CEO Joachim Gossow presented the Activity Report 2023.
Financial matters
A healthy and positive financial report was presented by Treasurer Lukas Hinder. The Assembly then proceeded to the adoption of the balance sheet. The revised 2024 IWGA budget and the 2025 provisional budget were up for votes. All three proposals were adopted. The delegates also followed the ExCo’s recommendations to appoint Zurich based Auditing Firm Liguster Treuhand und Verwaltungs for 2024.
Life Honorary Member and Athlete of the Year Awards
For his outstanding contribution to The World Games, IWGA former Vice-President (2006-2023) Max Bishop was named Life Honorary Member of the IWGA on Wednesday 1 May. Bishop stepped down stepped down last year from the Executive Committee after 17 years in office.
IRFPresident and FAI and WDSF Secretary Generals collected the Athlete of the Year Awards on behalf of their athletes. The trophies will be passed onto the medallists, Racquetball’s Conrrado Moscoso (1st, 75389 votes), Air Sports’ Luisa Rizzo (2nd, 55834 votes) and DanceSport’s Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska (3rd, 43560 votes). IWGA Communication and Media Director Anna Jacobson praised the broad reach of this annual communication campaign and outlined the social media success it has had.
Women’s leadership programme
The Assembly was presented with a new programme which the IWGA will finance for a selected group amongst its members (2 female participants per IF) to promote and drive diversity and equity amongst decision-making positions. The overall course’s objective is to elevate women in leadership positions in sports organisations. Offering an online format, the interactive programme will be implemented in November this year. A list of selected participants will be shared at a later stage.
IWGA Athletes Committee
Established two years ago, the Athletes Committee’s full inclusion into the status is confirmed. Constitutional modifications, which included the formal establishment of the AC, the elections regulations and the duties and responsibilities of the Committee, were up for ratification at the AGM. The motions were adopted by an overwhelming majority. A deadline to 15 March 2025 was set for candidates’ applications to the Athletes Committee. Set criteria for application were also identified.
NOCs and NSOs participation
Several National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Sports Organisations (NSOs) participated in yesterday’s AGM as a direct positive outcome of the 1st IWGA – NOCs and NOCs Workshop held in Madrid (ESP) in October 2023, which aimed at strengthening the IWGA’s relationships with national sports entities.
At the centre of the IWGA’s agenda was the collaboration with the national sport entities, which was encouraged by IOC President Thomas Bach’s letter to all NOCs.
Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have already been established with the Austrian, Chinese, French, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Poland, Spanish and Ukraine NOCs / NSOs, reinforcing cooperation in the lead up to The World Games 2025.
Hungary, Portugal and Chinese Taipei also signed an MoU with the IWGA in Esslingen on 1 May 2024.
Separately, the IWGA met with the Luxembourg NOC to discuss a potential MoU and future strengthened cooperation.
Sustainability Strategy
In an effort to further develop and implement an impactful sustainable strategy, the IWGA has identified priorities and a timeline, both of which were presented to the Assembly. The IWGA is working closely with the Organisers to apply several elements and goals from the sustainability strategy which will be fully unveiled on 5 June 2024, on World Environment Day.
Swiss Timing Agreement
The IWGA is pleased to have extended its agreement with Swiss Timing from 2025 through 2033. Swiss Timing has been one of IWGA’s pillars in the recent years and has tremendously contributed to the growth and professionalisation of The World Games.
Chengdu 2025
The week in Esslingen concluded with a working meeting with the Chengdu 2025 delegation. The LOC representatives unveiled the One Year to Go celebrations plans and the promotional activities around the landmark event. Dates for upcoming meetings were confirmed, as well as accommodation plans for the different participant groups. The IWGA is very satisfied with the preparations’ progress and is confident the Chengdu 2025 LOC will deliver an inspiring Games in state-of-the-art venues, exceeding the highest international standards.
