Sports governance at national level, the oversight of Technical Officials, managing International Federation (IF) elections and the next Review of IF Governance featured among the key topics discussed during a Governance Workshop, organised by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) on 1 October in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The meeting attracted more than 70 participants representing 35 IFs (including 3 Winter Olympic IFs), and also included ASOIF Governance Task Force (GTF) members, representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and external experts.
ASOIF President Ingmar De Vos said during his opening speech: “The high turnout demonstrates that governance is still a key priority for the Olympic Movement. This is the fourth governance workshop ASOIF organises. Ahead of the Sixth Review of IF Governance, this is a good opportunity for all IF colleagues to gather and exchange ideas. I would like to pay tribute to the former ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti, who founded and chaired the GTF during his presidency. His vision and leadership shaped ASOIF’s governance project, which has been instrumental in enhancing the IFs' governance.”
ASOIF’s membership survey conducted earlier this year and serving as a foundation for the association’s new strategic plan confirmed member federations’ continued interest in prioritising good governance. Accordingly, ASOIF’s Sixth Review of IF Governance, aimed at ensuring and continuously improving a culture of good governance within its member federations, will kick off later this month with the results scheduled to be published in summer 2026. For the first time, the four new Associate Members – the International Cricket Council (ICC), the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), World Lacrosse and World Squash – will be part of the review.
Sports governance at international, continental and national level
Following the recent publication of its revised guidance notes on IF electoral rules and processes, ASOIF explained the most significant updates such as new references to election panels and vetting or eligibility checks. The guidance draws on examples of best practice seen from among the IFs.
Other sessions focused on governance at national level, in particular in view of the growth of national sports integrity organisations and the governance of National Federations (NFs). Participants discussed the role and mission of national sports integrity bodies, which have often developed from National Anti-Doping Organisations but now have a broader remit, covering areas like safeguarding, the prevention of competition manipulation and anti-corruption.
In order for IFs to succeed in developing their sports worldwide, they need NFs to be effective and well-governed. The workshop provided the IFs with the opportunity to present and discuss how to best support and monitor the governance of their members and possibly leverage the collaboration with continental federations in this matter.
Refereeing & judging
Looking at the field of play, the workshop addressed the oversight of IF Technical Officials, such as referees, umpires and line judges who play a vital role in ensuring the integrity of sporting competition, but often operate behind the scenes. Participants exchanged about specific challenges, for instance when it comes to sharing authority over Technical Officials with NFs, as well as opportunities like new technologies.
Learn more about the workshop programme here.
New composition of ASOIF Governance Task Force (GTF)
The workshop also offered the opportunity to introduce the new Chair and some other new members of the ASOIF GTF to the participants.
New Chair Snežana Samardžić-Marković, former Director General of Democracy at the Council of Europe and now Independent Senior Expert for Human Rights in Sport, highlighted: “In an unpredictable, turbulent world, it is vital to protect the autonomy of sport. Continuing commitment to improving governance gives IFs the best chance of delivering effectively on their objectives, and also demonstrates to public authorities, media and the general public that sport earns its autonomy.”
Discover the new composition of the ASOIF GTF here.
Finally, the IOC updated the attendees about their activities in the field of integrity, such as the organisation of the Fifth International Forum for Sports Integrity (IFSI) which will take place on 24 October in Lausanne.