The International World Games Association (IWGA) and the International University Sports Federation (FISU) wish to develop their overall cooperation further.
The foundation for this expanded collaboration is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). IWGA President José Perurena and FISU acting President Leonz Eder signed this agreement on Thursday 12th May 2022 at the FISU headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. It entered into force on the date of its signature and will remain in effect indefinitely.
IWGA President José Perurena said, "This MoU establishes a strong connection between two important entities in the world of sport. It is necessary that we work together; it is also obvious that we share the same values. IWGA and FISU promote physical and sporting activities for the well-being of society. Moreover, we are both the governing bodies of multi-sport events with enormous potential. We have been working together for years, and we maintain a friendly exchange. We have now given this good cooperation a binding framework."
With a twinkle in his eye, José Perurena added, "We're even hosting our Games in the same cities." The next Summer University Games will be held in 2023 in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China. The 12th edition of The World Games will be hosted by Chengdu two years later, in 2025. The upcoming edition of TWG will take place this summer in Birmingham, USA (7-17 July).
The Memorandum of Understanding formulates four principles for further cooperation:
- The IWGA and the FISU stand ready to exchange ideas about their respective events' organisation and to generalise good practice.
- The IWGA and the FISU encourage the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to support and assist their national multi-sport delegations taking part in The World Games and FISU World University Games.
- The IWGA and the FISU may explore possibilities for closer cooperation regarding their respective communication, cooperation, promotion, and marketing.
- The IWGA and FISU may provide their expertise to each other when needed, and will maintain their cooperation with each other to support and organise their sports activities within the Olympic Movement.
IWGA President José Perurena said after the signing. "The timing for this agreement is perfect. On 19th May, The World Games family will gather for the Annual General Meeting in Madrid. I will take the opportunity then to personally present the contents and benefits of the MoU to the representatives of our 39 member federations."
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association, organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from 34 sports and over 100 countries will take part in The World Games.
