ISF Leadership Visit the United States to Strengthen Strategic Cooperation with AAU
Apr. 14, New York, USA – ISF President Željko Tanasković and Executive Director Hasnae El Ayoubi concluded a strategic visit to the United States, where they met with the leadership of the Amateur Athletic Union, one of ISF’s active and long-standing members.
The visit focused on strengthening the cooperation between ISF and AAU across participation, innovation, youth development, and shared values in school sport.
A key point of discussion was AAU’s intention to further increase participation in ISF events by enabling more American school athletes to engage across a wider range of sports and educational activities. Both sides also explored how selected disciplines that are not yet widely practised in the U.S. school environment could be further developed through stronger alignment with ISF events and pathways.
The meetings also included forward-looking discussions on the possibility of bringing future innovative ISF event formats to the United States, in line with the Federation’s broader strategic vision to diversify opportunities for young people through school sport, exchange, and inclusive participation.
Another important area of cooperation concerned the future expansion of the ISF Ambassadors programme. AAU expressed its willingness to identify high-profile American athletes, including Olympians, who could help inspire school students worldwide and support ISF’s mission of promoting education and youth empowerment through sport.
In addition, both organisations agreed to further explore short-term student athlete exchange mechanisms between AAU and other ISF Members, creating new opportunities for intercultural learning and direct school-level international experiences. Discussions also covered joint initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and fostering a more inclusive sport environment through dedicated activities and awareness programmes.
During the visit, ISF leadership also attended the 96th AAU Sullivan Award Ceremony, one of the most historic recognitions in American amateur sport. The most decorated U.S. Paralympic Track and Field athlete, Tatyana McFadden, is the winner of the 96th AAU Sullivan Award.
The event served as a valuable opportunity to celebrate the shared values of leadership, character, and sportsmanship that strongly connect AAU’s tradition with ISF’s educational mission.
This visit further reinforced the long-standing and positive relationship between ISF and AAU. As school sport continues to grow globally, the development of the American school sport ecosystem and AAU’s continued engagement within ISF represent an important contribution to expanding opportunities for young people worldwide.
ISF welcomes this renewed momentum of cooperation and looks forward to building future initiatives together that empower students, strengthen international exchange, and advance a more inclusive vision of school sport.
