IWGA Annual General Meeting on 21 April 2015 in Sochi /Russia
Wroclaw and Birmingham introduce themselves to the 37 IWGA member federations
Not one, but two host cities will introduce themselves at this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International World Games Association (IWGA) on Tuesday, 21 April 2015. As the 37 IWGA member federations gather in Sochi/Russia, Gzregorz Pyzalka, Sports Director of the Wroclaw, Poland, Local Organizing Committee (WOC), the next host city, will inform delegates+ about the preparations for the 10th edition of the multi-sport event in 2017.
William A. Bell, Mayor of the City of Birmingham/Alabama, will make the first presentation of his city as the host of TWG 2021 to the delegates from member federations. After the AGM, William A. Bell and José Perurena, IWGA President, will sign the Hosting Agreement for the Games to be held in six years' time.
With a view to the AGM José Perurena states: “We have quite a number of issues on the agenda. For example: IWGA has moved its office from Colorado Springs/Colorado/USA to Lausanne, Switzerland. However, the two host cities are the focus of attention. This shows that sport takes centre stage in our work.” He also expressed his hope that the delegates of the member federations will use the opportunity to ask questions and share their ideas with the organizers from both host cities.
The conversation with the WOC from Poland is especially important, according to him. “We have to deliver nothing less than the best World Games ever. Wroclaw has everything going for it.” He is optimistic that TWG family will see the best World Games ever in 2017 when Wroclaw stages the 10th edition.
With regard to Birmingham the IWGA President was reassuring: “I am sure that the host of the 11th edition will convince the AGM Members that we made the correct choice in selecting the TWG 2021 Host City.”
José Perurena will also use the AGM to give a review of his first year in office and will introduce the pillars for closer cooperation with the IOC. In November, the IOC decided to cooperate closely with The World Games regarding the sports program composition and their respective evaluations. This decision enhances tremendously the status of The World Games. The IWGA President describes the challenge: “We want to be able to take The World Games to the next level and to show that we have sports that are Olympic level."
At this year’s AGM there will be no election. But the IWGA board will introduce a new member of the staff to the delegates of the member federations. Ms. Chantal Boehi took over the position of General Manager from Ms. Patsy Dew on 1 April 2015. In Sochi, Jose Perurena will say goodbye to Ms Patsy Dew and show his appreciation for her outstanding work. She served in this position from 2005 to 2015.