The global sports community came together virtually yesterday for the GAISF General Assembly to reflect on the united front of sport in the face of this past year’s challenges, and vote on a number of key decisions including several applications for membership.

IFMA was represented by President Tapsuwan, Vice President Udomdej Sitabutr and Director Charissa Tynan.

“It has been a year and half of remarkable achievements. Especially since many of them have been in the face of remarkable challenges,” said GAISF President Chiulli during his address. “Sport showed once again how it can bring communities together and help us focus on the beauty of team effort, on the lessons of winning and losing with grace and fair play. Lessons that I believe are more important now than ever. As individual members of GAISF, we are all drops of water, some larger and some smaller. But together, we are an ocean. Together we are stronger.”

Following the report of GAISF Membership Commission Chairman Mike Joyce, the GAISF family welcomed one new full Member, and two new Associate Members as the International Federation of Teqball (FITEQ), Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO) and World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF) all had their applications approved by the voting members. Learn more about these new Members here.

Additionally, President Chiulli announced the winners of the GAISF Sustainability Award 2020, with World Sailing taking the top prize for their ambitious Sustainability Agenda 2030. World Sailing Head of Sustainability Dan Reading and CEO David Graham tuned in live to express their thanks and encourage other IFs to continue their efforts in the field of sustainability. World Rugby and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) came in second and third respectively for showcasing that sustainability truly is at the heart of sport.

Ahead of the award announcement were speeches from IOC Member and IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission Chair HSH the Sovereign Prince Albert II, and Formula E and Extreme E Founder Alejandro Agag who underlined the power of sport to make meaningful contributions to a more sustainable future.

“This Sustainability Award recognises a holistic approach to sustainability. It highlights that sustainability is not about ad hoc projects or afterthought,” said HSH the Sovereign Prince Albert II. “Sustainability is about managing your operations and events, and all your spheres of influence in a more systematic, integrated and responsible manner. And finally, sustainability is not about empty words and promises, it is about turning words into meaningful credible action and inspiring others to do the same.”

The General Assembly were also presented with an update on financial matters, including the budget 2020 and audited accounts 2019 which were all unanimously approved. Finally, GAISF and SportAccord President Chiulli expressed his excitement to see everyone in person next year in Ekaterinburg, Russia for SportAccord 2021, before closing the General Assembly, stating:

“As we have seen, the work of sport does not stop because of the pandemic. If anything, that work has become even more important. Of course, GAISF will be by your side.  Just as the situation with the pandemic is always changing, our common solutions will have to be dynamic and adaptable. And this is exactly what I propose. For us to work together to achieve our common goal of a better world through sport.”

GAISF Vice President and AIMS President Stephan Fox presented a report on many important activities such as upcoming multi-sport games.