Radical new strategy approved for the World Games supported by the ILS

The remotely held online Annual General Meeting of the International World Games Association (IWGA) on 6th November, approved a new future strategy for The World Games, with overwhelming support.

Only International Federations that are members of ARISF can from now on become new full members of the IWGA, but current ASOIF and AIMS Members of the IWGA will retain their Full Membership.  The ILS is an existing Full Member of the IWGA.

Federations that are not members of the IWGA can still have their events selected by the AGM to feature on the programme of a single edition of The World Games – or of other events that the IWGA organises. These Federations are then granted temporary Affiliate status, as recommended in the strategy paper.

In addition to the membership matters, the strategy paper included concrete plans for the programme of The World Games. For example, the leading, sustainable, principle of The World Games remains that host cities are not required to build new facilities.

The maximum number of athletes will be raised from 4200 to 5000, and the invitational sports programme will be replaced with a more flexible display programme. Additionally, the IWGA will move towards financially supporting the International Federations taking part in The World Games. This is welcome news for existing members, including the ILS.

Following adoption of the new strategy the necessary changes to the IWGA Constitution were also approved, including the creation of Affiliate status. The Constitution was also amended to allow for remote online meetings to be held in the future, should the circumstances require this. The IWGA recognised the considerable assistance provided by Dr Harald Vervaecke, PhD, the ILS Secretary General, in preparing the all of the constitutional amendments required.

The Annual Meeting also approved the new Code of Ethics and the new Anti-Doping Rules for The World Games 2022.