[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord is pressing ahead with vital structural changes, after Martin Gibbs was confirmed as the organisation’s new permanent Managing Director.

This appointment is one of several concrete steps taken by SportAccord since the dissolution of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) was voted by its members in late November.

With professional services provider Ernst & Young handling GAISF’s liquidation, the ongoing integration of various activities, responsibilities, and staff members into SportAccord is firmly on track, ensuring continuity for International Federations and the broader sports movement.

Statutes are being revised to fulfil commitments given to the global sporting community, and SportAccord is working on terms of reference for a new Membership Commission, which will oversee the application process for International Federations to join the Alliance of Independent recognised Members of Sport (AIMS).

Under SportAccord’s revised governance structure, the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) and Alliance of Independent recognised Members of Sport (AIMS) will become Members. They will join the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF).

[Source: GAISF] GAISF President Ivo Ferriani marked this year’s United Nations (UN) International Youth Day by calling on the global sports community to ensure the world’s youth have a voice in the development and future of sport.

Observed globally, International Youth Day provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognise young people’s voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.

This year’s theme is “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages”. As part of strengthening intergenerational solidarity, ensuring that young people have a voice in decision-making mechanisms is vital in bridging generational gaps.

President Ferriani said: “Sport has a key role to play in the physical, mental and social development of young people, so it is key that the global sports community listens to their voice when guiding sport’s global development. By working collaboratively, we can help draw more young people to sport and increase participation to secure sport’s future.

“As an integral part of society, sport can also be a powerful intergenerational activity. At all levels older generations pass on their knowledge to young people, ensuring that younger generations can experience the joy of sport and benefit from an active lifestyle. In a time where solidarity and collaboration are more important than ever, it is vital that we harness sport’s role as a vehicle for promoting social cohesion among all ages.”

[Source: GAISF] The Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) General Assembly today elected Ivo Ferriani as its President representing the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF).

Mr Ferriani begins his term as President immediately and will serve a two-year mandate, as per the GAISF Statutes and its stakeholder rotational principle where the nomination comes from the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF).

Mr Ferriani brings with him a wealth of experience in sports administration, having served as AIOWF President since 2020, and President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation since 2010. He has also been an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board Member since 2018.

In the lead up to the election, Mr Ferriani shared his plans for the future of GAISF, underlining his commitment to bringing the global sports community closer together for the benefit sport. Mr Ferriani praised GAISF for its tireless efforts to promote sustainability in sport and underlined how he will use his role as a Member of the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission to build on this progress.

As a Member of the IOC Women in Sport Commission, Mr Ferriani is committed to helping promote equal opportunities for girls and women in the global sports community to participate in, and benefit from, sport. Moreover, Mr Ferriani pledged to use his experience as a Member of the IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission to introduce new initiatives directly involving and benefitting athletes. 

GAISF President Ferriani said: “I am very honoured to have been elected as President of GAISF. The COVID-19 pandemic has truly demonstrated how sport is a force for good. I am therefore proud to have this opportunity to work with the global sports community to promote the power of sport and to achieve our common goal of a better world through sport. I am very much looking forward to bringing my sporting experience to serve all GAISF’s Members, Associate Members and Observers, and to support them over the next two years.”

Following Mr Ferriani’s election, outgoing President of GAISF, Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, said: “My heartfelt congratulations go to Ivo Ferriani on his election as the new President of GAISF. I have no doubt he will continue to serve GAISF’s Members and all of sport to a high-level, and I can think of no better representative from the AIOWF family to lead GAISF for the next two years.”

“As the President of ARISF, and the representative of ARISF on the GAISF Council, I will have the pleasure of continuing to work closely with GAISF and its new President in the years ahead.”

There were a number of key updates delivered at the General Assembly, including on financial matters with the budget 2021 and audited accounts 2020 all being unanimously approved. Moreover, the GAISF family welcomed one new full Member, the International Practical Shooting Confederation, and two new Associate Members, the Association of Pan American Sports Confederations and World Martial Arts Masterships Committee, which all had their applications approved by the voting members.

[Source: SportAccord] GAISF has launched the host city selection process for future editions of various world multi-sport events, including the World Urban Games, World Combat Games and World Mind Games.

The world multi-sport events bring the best of sport to host cities, driving global exposure and creating the perfect bridge between elite sport and local communities.

GAISF and SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli said:

“We are delighted to open the host city selection process for future multi-sport Games. All of these events bring the best of sport to the heart of a city, while engaging with youth communities through inspiring initiatives to encourage greater participation in physical activity.

“We are also excited to be working with SportAccord from an operational perspective on the delivery of these various events. SportAccord has extensive experience in the organisation of world-class events and a thorough understanding of the global sports community and multi-sport event landscape.”

Following the successful inaugural 2019 edition of the GAISF World Urban Games in Budapest, GAISF has scheduled a second edition for 2023. The initial version included BMX freestyle, inline roller freestyle, parkour, breaking, 3x3 basketball and freestyle flying disc, together with laser run and indoor rowing. The World Urban Games places sport at the heart of a family-friendly city-centre festival that also includes music and art.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia was recently selected as the next host of the World Combat Games with Riyadh set to become the beating heart of martial arts combat sports in 2023. Finally, the World Mind Games are a multi-sport event centred on the gymnasium of the mind and highlighting the great value of the mind sports.

City representatives who want to learn more should not hesitate to contact GAISF Director and SportAccord Managing Director Nis Hatt at nis.hatt@sportaccord.com.

[Source: SportAccord] The Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) Council met via video conference on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 for a GAISF Extraordinary Council Meeting chaired by President, Dr. Raffaele Chiulli. As previously communicated, the current Director, Philippe Gueisbuhler decided to pursue an opportunity outside of the organisation with the International Ski Federation (FIS) commencing 1 January 2021.

Following the Extraordinary Council Meeting, President Chiulli said: “It is truly a pleasure to announce today that in view of ensuring the continuity of GAISF administrative action, SportAccord, Managing Director, Mr. Nis Hatt, was unanimously endorsed as interim Manager of GAISF.”

President Chiulli went on to say: “I have the utmost confidence and trust in Mr. Hatt’s ability to oversee the operations of GAISF as he has a thorough and intrinsic understanding of the GAISF organisation and its relationship with its Members.”

Mr. Hatt will start his interim role effective immediately.

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