Convention begins with council meetings

Dubai: The SportAccord Convention commenced Sunday with the council meetings of SportAccord (formerly the General Association of International Sports Federations — GAISF), the Association of Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the International World Games Association (IWGA).

SportAccord, which was renamed in 2009 during the SportAccord Convention in Denver (US), promotes communication and cooperation among international sports federations and represents more than 100 affiliated organisations.

The president of SportAccord is Hein Verbruggen of The Netherlands, who is also chairman of the SportAccord Convention. The Council consists of members designated by ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations), AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), ARISF (Association of Recognised International Sports Federations), and other SportAccord member organisations.

Representing ASOIF are Denis Oswald of Switzerland, president of the International Rowing Federation, and Tamas Ajan of Hungary, president of the International Weightlifting Federation.

Representing AIOWF is Gian-Franco Kasper of Switzerland, president of the International Ski Federation. Representing ARISF are Dr Jan C. Fransoo of The Netherlands, president of the International Korfball Federation and Antonio Espinos Ortueta of Spain, president of the World Karate Federation.

Representing the associate members is President is Ron Froehlich of the US, present of the International World Games Association.

Representing the "other IFs" is Fumio Morooka of Japan, president of the World Flying Disc Federation.

ARISF represents the sports recognised by the International Olympic Commitee (IOC) but not part of the Olympic programme. It is currently made up of 32 international sports federations. The ARISF Council consists of six members. President of ARISF is Dr Jan C. Fransoo, president of the International Korfball Federation. Vice president is Carlos Freitag, president of the International DanceSport Federation. Secretary General is Barbro Ronnberg of the International Orienteering Federation. The directors are Keith Calkins (International Racquetball Federation), Raffaele Chiulli (Union Internationale Motonautique) and Patrick Van Campenhout (International Wushu Federation).