Chinese Minister of Education Meets ISF Leadership in Lausanne

Mar. 23, Lausanne, Switzerland – A delegation led by Huai Jinpeng, Minister of Education of P.R.China, met with the ISF in Lausanne, reinforcing the long-standing cooperation between ISF and its Chinese member organisation, the Federation of Chinese University and School Sports (FOCUSS).

The ISF delegation was led by President Željko Tanasković, alongside Vice Presidents Youssef Belqasmi and Antônio Hora Filho. The meeting was also attended by ISF Executive Director Hasnae El Ayoubi and Sport Director Marko Petrič.

The Chinese delegation included senior representatives from FOCUSS, notably Vice President and Secretary General Chen Dongsheng, officials from the Directors General of relevant department of Ministry of Education, as well as the Counsellor of Education from Chinese Embassy in Switzerland.

During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing school sport as an integral component of education and youth development.

“As the only IOC-recognised international federation for school sport, ISF is proud to promote and share the Olympic values.” ISF President Željko Tanasković also expressed appreciation for China’s continued engagement, “Over the past decades, ISF has maintained strong and friendly cooperation with FOCUSS, as well as with Chinese school sport leaders and professionals, including ISF Vice President Zhang Ailong. Thank you again for your support and partnership.”

Minister Huai Jinpeng highlighted the importance placed by the Chinese government on school sport and student well-being, noting that China will continue to jointly work with ISF to support the development of international school sport through active participation in and hosting of ISF sport events and educational activities. He also underlined that China will host the ISF World School Volleyball Championship and the ISF Football World Cup this year, and warmly welcomed delegations from around the world to visit China for sport and cultural exchange. 

Following the meeting, ISF and FOCUSS signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at further promoting the development of international school sport.

Within this framework, FOCUSS will strengthen its support to ISF and the global school sport movement through a series of coordinated actions, including:

• actively sending delegations to participate in ISF events;
• actively hosting ISF single-sport and multi-sport events, as well as educational programmes and international conferences;
• leveraging event hosting to promote the development of relevant sports;
• developing legacy programmes associated with ISF events; and
• exploring commercial development opportunities within the Chinese market.