ISF Leadership Meets Cypriot President and National Authorities as Cyprus Advances ISF Event Bid
Jun. 4, Nicosia, Cyprus – As part of a broader series of visits across the Mediterranean region, ISF President Zeljko Tanaskovic and Executive Director Hasnae El Ayoubi travelled to Cyprus for a programme of institutional meetings focused on school sport development, international cooperation, and future ISF event in the country.
Organised together with the ISF Member in Cyprus, the visit brought ISF leadership into contact with senior representatives of the country's sport and education sectors, including the Cyprus Sports Organization and the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
Meetings with Cyprus Sports Organization President Yiannis Ioannou and Vice President Kalli Hadjiosif provided an opportunity to exchange views on the role of school sport within the wider sporting ecosystem. ISF presented its mission and strategic objectives, while discussions explored how national sport institutions and school sport stakeholders can work together to encourage youth participation and strengthen pathways from school sport to lifelong engagement in physical activity.
The ISF delegation also met with the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Dr Athena Michaelidou, to discuss Cyprus’ continued involvement in ISF events and the contribution of international school sport experiences to youth development, education, and intercultural exchange.
A significant focus of the visit was the potential organisation of an ISF World School Beach Volleyball Championship in Cyprus. During their stay, ISF representatives visited proposed competition venues and supporting facilities, allowing detailed discussions regarding hosting requirements and event delivery capacities.
Following these exchanges and site visits, Cyprus formally submitted its candidature to host an ISF World School Beach Volleyball event, marking an important step in the country's ambition to further engage with the international school sport movement.
The visit also included attendance at the 20th Anniversary Ceremony of the Cyprus Sport Schools, held in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.
During the celebration, ISF President Zeljko Tanaskovic shared the Federation’s vision of school sport as a platform for education, healthy lifestyles, inclusion, friendship, and youth development. President Christodoulides welcomed the ISF delegation and reaffirmed Cyprus’ commitment to supporting sport and school sport as part of the country’s broader development strategy for young people.
The discussions held throughout the visit highlighted the growing role of school sport as a meeting point between education, sport, youth engagement, and international cooperation. ISF will continue working closely with its member in Cyprus and national stakeholders as the country explores new opportunities within the ISF's eco-system, both as an active participant and a potential future host.
