A New Dive into School Sport: ISF and CMAS Launch Partnership
Jun. 23, Lausanne, Switzerland – During the recently concluded ISF World School Basketball Championship 2026, ISF and the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) officially signed MoU marking the beginning of a new partnership to promote underwater sports within the international school sport community.
The signing ceremony brought together ISF President Željko Tanasković, CMAS President Anna Arzhanova. ISF Executive Director Hasnae El Ayoubi, CMAS Sports Director Angeliki Giannakaki, ISF Sport Director Marko Petrič, and ISF Head of Protocol and Partnership Martina Garziera also attended the ceremony.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organisations in areas including the promotion of underwater sports within schools, educational initiatives, knowledge exchange, and the exploration of future opportunities to include CMAS disciplines within the ISF event system. By combining the expertise of CMAS with the global school sport network, the partnership aims to create new opportunities for young people to discover and engage with underwater sports while supporting the educational values that underpin school sport.
"Water safety is an essential life skill that every young person should have the opportunity to learn.” says ISF President Željko Tanasković,“Through this partnership with CMAS, ISF is pleased to expand the horizons of international school sport by introducing new sporting disciplines, while creating more opportunities for education, coach development, and international competition. Together, we look forward to inspiring more young people to discover the values and possibilities that underwater sports can offer."
"CMAS is proud to join forces with ISF in bringing underwater sports closer to young people around the world,” said CMAS President Anna Arzhanova. “This partnership represents an important step in promoting not only our sports disciplines, but also water safety, healthy lifestyles, environmental awareness, and personal development through sport. By connecting the global school sport community with the underwater world, we hope to inspire new generations of students to discover unique opportunities for learning, achievement, and international friendship."
As the international governing body for underwater sports, CMAS oversees a diverse range of disciplines. Through its worldwide member federations, CMAS promotes the development of underwater sports while encouraging participation, education, safety, and sporting excellence across all levels.
Built on a shared commitment to expanding sporting opportunities for young people, the partnership will strengthen cooperation between the international sport and education sectors while introducing new experiences to future generations of student-athletes
About CMAS
Founded in 1959, the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) is the international governing body for underwater activities and underwater sports, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Bringing together more than 130 national federations across five continents, CMAS promotes the development of underwater sports, diver education, scientific research, and environmental conservation.
Through its worldwide network, CMAS governs a wide range of competitive disciplines, including Finswimming, Freediving, Underwater Hockey, Underwater Rugby, Sport Diving, Aquathlon, Underwater Photo and Video, Orienteering, Target Shooting, and Para Underwater sports, while advancing safety, excellence, and sustainability in aquatic activities worldwide.
