Past, Present and Future on One Agenda for IWGA ExCo

The Board of the IWGA has prepared strategic decisions for the period after The World Games 2021. At the meeting of the Executive Committee (ExCo) last week in Madrid, the members also discussed the status of preparations for the current edition in Birmingham, Alabama, from 15 to 25 July 2021. The meeting in Madrid was the first ExCo meeting in 2019. Treasurer Lukas Hinder also gave an overview of the orderly financial situation of the International World Games Association.

Previously, IWGA President José Perurena had declared: "I expect to present the host city for The World Games 2025 at our Annual General Meeting on 9 May in Gold Coast Australia." He is confident that the contract with the host for the 12th edition of The World Games can be signed by then.

During the meeting, which was attended by all seven board members, Jan Fransoo and Antonio Espinos presented the first draft of a strategy paper. It contains proposals for the mission and vision for the period after 2021, including ideas for cooperation with partners such as the IOC, ANOC, GAISF and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The IWGA is planning for the design of the sports programme for The World Games from 2025 onwards. The association has 37 member federations, but a maximum of 30 sports can currently be included in the official sports programme. In addition, the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding with the IOC must be observed.

Agreements on the criteria for the sports programme also have an impact on the handling of future membership applications. "The IWGA wants to be open to new developments and changes in the world of sport. At the same time, it is important to keep an eye on the legitimate interests of the long-standing members", said CEO Joachim Gossow, explaining the challenge.

With a view to The World Games 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama, the Board was satisfied with the progress made since the last ExCo meeting in November 2018. At the same time, important decisions are expected from the Birmingham Organising Committee in the upcoming weeks. Among other things, a final vote is pending on some sports venues.

An agreement with all stakeholders, including the International Federations, is important for the next milestone: Before the Annual General Meeting in May, the so-called IF Passports must be signed. In the IF Passport, all important specifications such as competition days, number of athletes and officials as well as the venue are regulated. "The IF Passport sets the framework for the detailed final preparation", says Joachim Gossow. He assumes that the final questions about the venues can be answered this month.

José Perurena described the Board Meeting as extremely efficient and the discussions as fruitful: "It doesn't always happen that we have the past year, the current situation and the goals for the future on the same agenda. We have mastered this challenge together and can now begin preparations for our Annual General Meeting. We will then inform our member federations of all ongoing developments and listen to their ideas on our plans. We will include their proposals in the further discussions."

The next board meeting is set for May in the run-up to the Annual General Meeting in Gold Coast, Australia.

The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 15-25 July 2021. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in the Games.

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