A Productive Week for ISF at the SportAccord Forum
Oct. 9, Lausanne, Switzerland – The SportAccord Forum provided international sport federations with a valuable opportunity to engage with leaders from across the community, strengthen existing relationships and explore new avenues of cooperation to further develop international school sport.
ISF President Željko Tanasković, Secretary General Hasnae El Ayoubi and Sport Director Marko Petrič took part in meetings and exchanges with international sports organisations and meet with leaders and legends of international sport throughout the Forum.
Among the key outcomes was the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United World Wrestling (UWW), represented by UWW President Nenad Lalović.
The updated cooperation framework reinforces the relationship between ISF and UWW and supports the continued development of wrestling within international school sport. With wrestling set to become a standalone ISF World School Wrestling Championship in April 2027 in Delhi, India, following its inclusion in the Gymnasiade programme, the cooperation provides a timely basis for the next stage of development. The two organisations will also explore possibilities for extending their collaboration to emerging opportunities such as beach wrestling.
Beyond wrestling, the ISF delegation met Gennadiy Golovkin, President of World Boxing and a legendary boxer, continuing its engagement with the international boxing community. Such exchanges help maintain connections with international federations whose sports have a longstanding place in school sport and provide opportunities to consider how these disciplines can continue to engage young people.
The Forum also opened conversations beyond individual sports. ISF representatives met with the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS), including President Martin Isaksson and Secretary-General Brian Nook, to exchange perspectives with an organisation working in the field of sports health. Contacts of this kind offer opportunities to explore how expertise in athlete health and wellbeing can complement the development of school sport.
The meetings and cooperation developments throughout the week reflect ISF’s commitment to building a broad network of international partners. Working with established sports federations helps strengthen the sporting programme available to students, while engaging with organisations in related fields can bring additional perspectives to youth wellbeing and the wider educational value of sport.
Through its participation in international forums such as SportAccord, ISF continues to connect sports organisations with schools and young people, promoting opportunities for participation, international exchange and development through sport and education.
