IWGA and Chengdu Sport University sign MoU to establish sports promotion and research center

IWGA and Chengdu Sport University sign MoU to establish sports promotion and research center

published on 11 August

Chengdu, China – 11 August 2025 – The International World Games Association (IWGA) and Chengdu Sport University (CDSU) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create the IWGA Sports Research and Promotion Center, a landmark initiative aimed at advancing non-Olympic sports in China and around the globe.

The signing ceremony, hosted by Li Lin, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC CDSU Committee and Vice President of CDSU, took place at Huaixian Building in Chengdu.

The event brought together senior leaders from the IWGA, Sichuan provincial authorities, and Chengdu Sport University to formalize a strategic partnership focused on sports research, athlete development, sports medicine, world-class event organisation, and cultural exchange.

The new Center will also play a pivotal role in integrating sports from The World Games into CDSU’s educational programmes, helping to create a lasting legacy from The World Games 2025 Chengdu.

Main agenda highlights included:

  • Announcement of appointment decisions (by Ren Shiqiang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC CDSU Committee)
  • Appointment of IWGA President José Perurena and IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow as Honorary Professors of Chengdu Sport University (presented by Xu Wanbing, President of CDSU)
  • Signing of the IWGA–CDSU MoU
  • Unveiling ceremony of the IWGA Sports Research and Promotion Center
  • Speeches by Shu Weiping (Secretary of the CPC CDSU Committee), Luo Dongling (Director-General of Sichuan Provincial Sports Bureau), Yu Xiaoqi (Director-General of Sichuan Provincial Department of Education), and IWGA President José Perurena López

“Today, we are not simply signing a document. We are laying the foundation for a shared vision,” said José Perurena, IWGA President.

“Together, we are creating a sustainable platform that will inspire future generations and support Chengdu’s ambition to become a World Famous City for Sports Events.”

Key attendees included:

IWGA: José Perurena López (President), Tom Dielen (Vice President), Lukas Hinder (Treasurer), Sandra Sanchez (Athlete Committee President), Joachim Gossow (CEO), IWGA Executive Committee members

Government Leaders: Yu Xiaoqi (Sichuan Provincial Department of Education), Luo Dongling (Sichuan Provincial Sports Bureau)

Chengdu Sport University Leadership: Shu Weiping, Xu Wanbing, Wang Junfei, Ren Shiqiang, Luo Jiafu, Fu Dong, Wu Hongli, Li Lin, Wang Mingjian, Ou Xuesong, Division-level university leaders and student volunteer representatives for The World Games 2025 Chengdu

The IWGA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering global sports development, expressing confidence that the partnership with Chengdu Sport University will have a positive and lasting impact both in China and internationally.

The International World Games Association (IWGA) is a non-profit-making international sports organisation recognised and supported by the International Olympic Committee. The IWGA comprises 40 International Member Sports Federations. It administers and promotes The World Games (TWG), a multi-sport event held every four years that features around 35 sports on its programme. The World Games 2025 are currently taking place in Chengdu (CHN) until 17 August 2025. 4,000 athletes from more than 110 countries are taking part in this 12th edition. The latest Games were hosted by Birmingham, Alabama (USA) in 2022.

For more information, please contact the IWGA Media and Communication team:
[email protected], Tel: +41 21 311 12 97, or visit our website.