Summary of the conference: The Current State of Sport For All around the World
- Webmaster Office
- Jun 24
- 10 min read
On 23 June 2026, the International Sport for All Federation (FISpT) hosted a 90‑minute Olympic Day webinar titled “The Current State of Sport for All around the World: Five Perspectives.” The event brought together national leaders from Ukraine, France, Georgia, Macau (China), and Türkiye to present their Sport for All programs, highlight opportunities and challenges, and reflect on cooperation with Olympic and governmental structures.
Opening remarks by FISpT leadership positioned Sport for All as a central pillar of health, inclusion and community resilience, aligned with the IOC–WHO “Fit for Future” agenda and FISpT’s mission as an IOC‑recognized federation. The national presentations showcased diverse models: war‑time mass sport and rehabilitation in Ukraine, post‑COVID growth and inequality reduction in France, inclusive culture‑building in Georgia, dual‑track policy in a dense urban context in Macau, and large‑scale, multi‑stakeholder strategies in Türkiye.
Common themes included: the need to embed physical activity into everyday life; the importance of multi‑stakeholder governance (ministries, NOCs, municipalities, schools, NGOs and clubs); the use of data to track reach and impact; and the growing role of FISpT and international partners in defining good practice and supporting national federations. The webinar reinforced FISpT’s intention to serve as an action‑oriented and consultative body for the global Sport for All movement.
1. Background and Objectives
FISpT is an IOC‑recognized international federation dedicated to developing Sport for All in cooperation with its members and partners. In line with its mission to promote Sport for All and foster connections among organizations and individuals, FISpT organized this webinar to:
Provide a structured platform for five national members to present their Sport for All programs.
Share practical experiences, solutions and challenges across different socio‑economic and political contexts.
Strengthen links between national Sport for All federations, NOCs, ministries and international partners on Olympic Day.
The event formed part of FISpT’s broader engagement with IOC’s Olympism365 strategy, WHO/Europe networks and global Sport for All actors such as TAFISA and ISCA, positioning FISpT as both a convener and a contributor to evidence‑informed practice.
2. Opening Remarks and Strategic Framing
2.1 Olympic Day and global health agenda
In his opening address, Marco Tomasini emphasized that Sport for All inspires more active, healthier and more inclusive communities, and that these principles are the “main pillar” of FISpT’s work. He framed the webinar as part of Olympic Day, which the IOC describes as a celebration of sport, health and active lifestyles and, in 2026, focuses on encouraging people worldwide to “move” through the Let’s Move initiative in partnership with WHO.
Marco underscored that:
Sport for All is a “living practice” and career, not an abstract concept, and must be pursued on a daily basis.
FISpT is committed to fulfilling IOC guidelines and criteria while remaining rooted in community‑based activity.
The webinar connects Sport for All with the wider Olympic Movement by involving IOC‑recognized federations, NOC representatives and health‑focused stakeholders.
2.2 Participation and learning objectives
Over 100 participants registered for the webinar, joining live or via the recording, reflecting significant interest in Sport for All across regions and sectors.
The moderator, Robert L. Rauch, set the tone for a reflective but practical discussion, inviting speakers to address:
The current state of Sport for All in their country.
Opportunities and challenges they face.
Their coordination with ministries, NOCs and other institutions.
3. Country Perspectives
3.1 Ukraine – Mass Sport, Rehabilitation and Resilience
Presenter: Andrii Rebryna, Agency for School, Student and Mass Sport.
Context and mission
Ukraine is undergoing one of the most difficult periods in its modern history due to ongoing war, which has altered health, security and social needs. The agency’s mission is to make physical activity accessible to every Ukrainian—“not only athletes, but everyone”—through mass sport, school and student sport, and adaptive sport.
Key initiatives
Mass sport – “Active Park”: Presidential social project operating in 758 sports facilities nationwide, delivering 62,282 training sessions in the past year to reduce barriers to participation.
Community multi‑sport clubs: 422 clubs active in 22 regions, enabling regular sport opportunities close to home.
Children’s programs: Multi‑sport “Children’s Cup” implemented through 520 camps with 26,000 children participating.
Adaptive sport and veterans
War has created major rehabilitation and reintegration needs for veterans and people with disabilities. The “Unstoppable” project supports 232 adaptive clubs involving 2,879 veterans, providing financial support for coaches’ salaries and equipment.
School and student leagues
The “Side‑by‑Side” school and student leagues are described as the largest school sport project in independent Ukraine’s history, involving:
9,362 schools and 58,692 teams.
Approximately 939,072 participants across 12 sport disciplines, progressing from local to national levels.
1,050 children attending side‑by‑side summer camps to extend experiences beyond competition into shared rest and community.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement that physical culture and sports education are “pillars of security” was cited to highlight the strategic importance of Sport for All for national resilience.
Constraints and innovation
Due to war‑related budgetary pressures, many funds are directed to defense, limiting new infrastructure and equipment. Programs therefore often rely on simple inventory and creative use of public spaces such as parks, grass areas and church grounds to maintain activity.
3.2 France – Growth, Health and Persistent Inequalities
Presenter: Alban Moutier, Fédération Française Sport pour Tous.
Current dynamics
France is experiencing a broadly positive dynamic for Sport for All in the post‑COVID context, aligning with the federation’s mission of making sport accessible to all publics. The federation counts over 2,000 clubs and around 160,000 licensees.
In the broader population:
61% of people aged over 15 practice physical or sports activity at least once a week, up from 54% in 2018.
There is improved access for women and growing recognition of sport as a public health tool.
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have reinforced public sensitivity to the benefits of physical activity for prevention and health improvement.
Challenges
Despite progress, several structural challenges remain:
Significant inequalities in access according to income, educational level, place of residence and disability status.
Deep transformations in modes of practice, with many individuals seeking flexible activities without long‑term commitments, often outside the traditional associative framework.
Public funding pressure, requiring federations and clubs to adapt their economic models.
Opportunities
Alban identified key opportunities in:
Expanding “sport‑health” programs to integrate health promotion and disease prevention.
Including all publics, especially aging populations, in accessible and adapted activities.
Designing services that respond to demand for flexibility while maintaining quality, safety and community connection.
3.3 Georgia – Inclusive Culture and Territorial Equity
Presenter: Mancho Shapakidze, Georgian National Federation “Sport for All”.
Vision of sport
Sport in Georgia is viewed as a universal language connecting people, communities and countries, building friendship, respect and understanding. Mancho highlighted the importance of international meetings and exchanges in strengthening the global Sport for All movement.
Current situation and impact
Georgia is seeing positive impacts from community sport events and healthy lifestyle initiatives, with Sport for All activity growing. However, several issues still need to be addressed.
Challenges
Key challenges include:
Encouraging people to integrate physical activity into everyday life; awareness‑raising is essential so citizens see sport as health and quality of life, not only competition.
Ensuring territorial equity in access to sport infrastructure, particularly in rural and mountainous areas where opportunities lag behind urban centers.
Opportunities and governance
The federation identifies considerable potential in:
Close cooperation among public institutions, municipalities, universities and sports organizations, including clubs active at grassroots level.
Partnerships with educational institutions to invest in future coaches, sport managers and other professionals, strengthening long‑term capacities.
Internal inclusion, including gender balance in leadership and promotion of women’s and girls’ participation.
Mancho underlined that each country’s structure must be rooted in its legislation, sport system and national priorities; what matters is a clear vision of good governance and strong cooperation rather than replication of a single model.
3.4 Macau (China) – Dual‑Track Policy in a Dense Urban Environment
Presenter: Kuong Hon Che, Macau Sport for All Federation.
Policy framework and context
Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China with about 700,000 inhabitants and approximately 33 km² of territory, applies a dual‑track sport policy supporting both mass sport (Sport for All) and competitive sport. Government sport policy rests on three pillars: supporting athletes, benefiting citizens, and promoting sport development.
Community programs
In cooperation with the Sport for All federation and the China Macau Sport and Olympic Committee, the government:
Improves community facilities and organizes mass activities to embed sport in daily life.
Organizes “Sport for All Day” every month at public venues, featuring demonstrations by fitness instructors and students, and leisure activities such as basketball, shuttlecock, badminton, Kabaddi, softball, rope skipping, squash, chess and hula hoop.
Attracts approximately 6,000 participants per event, a notable figure in a small territory.
They also operate Sport and Health Consultation Service Points every Sunday, offering free health checks (blood pressure, heart rate, weight, etc.) and exercise advice in public spaces.
The co‑hosting of the 15th Chinese National Games in 2025 with Guangdong and Hong Kong significantly increased public interest in sport and provided a platform to promote Sport for All.
Challenges
Macau faces several structural challenges:
Severe land and facility constraints due to limited territory and high population density, resulting in insufficient sport infrastructure relative to demand.
Sedentary lifestyles among office workers and youth, particularly due to digital entertainment, making regular exercise promotion challenging.
Uneven participation, with certain groups highly active while seniors, persons with disabilities and lower‑income communities remain under‑represented.
Opportunities
Opportunities include leveraging the national games legacy to promote “sport plus” approaches (sport plus tourism, technology and education), and enhancing cross‑border cooperation with neighboring cities such as Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The partnership between government, the Olympic committee and the Sport for All federation, which brings together 77 sport federations within the association, provides a strong platform for integrated action.
3.5 Türkiye – Large‑Scale, Multi‑Stakeholder Strategy
Presenter: Dr. İrfan Kurudirek, Turkish Sport for All Federation and European Sport for All Federation (UESPT).
National opportunities
Türkiye benefits from a young, dynamic population and a well‑developed structure for Sport for All involving the Ministry of Youth and Sports, local authorities, universities and civil society organizations. Together they create what Irfan described as a “huge Sport for All family,” deploying culturally relevant outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, traditional games and yoga, including recent initiatives around International Yoga Day.
Family‑based activities and community events are central to promoting health, inclusion and well‑being.
Challenges
Key challenges include:
Post‑COVID physical inactivity linked to long screen time, digitalization, urban lifestyles and demanding work schedules, particularly among young people.
Sustainability: the need to move beyond isolated events and embed physical activity into daily life in schools, workplaces, parks, families, communities and digital spaces.
Ensuring access for women, children, older adults, persons with disabilities, refugees and disadvantaged groups in safe, enjoyable and suitable environments.
Irfan clarified that Sport for All means everyone should have quality access to physical activity opportunities, rather than simply expecting participation without removing barriers.
Institutional cooperation
Domestically:
The Turkish Sport for All Federation operates among about 65 federations under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, closely aligning on priorities such as spreading sport through society, increasing access and promoting active lifestyles.
Provincial directorates, youth centers and facilities support delivery of local activities and extend reach nationwide.
Cooperation with the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TNOC) focuses on Olympic values, fair play, volunteering, inclusion and healthy living, connecting elite sport and Sport for All.
The forthcoming European Games in Istanbul are seen as an opportunity to integrate Sport for All and traditional games into the Olympic ecosystem.
Internationally:
The federation collaborates with organizations such as EXO, ISCA, TAFISA, FISpT, UESPT and the Sport for Refugees coalition, sharing good practices and strengthening capacity for Sport for All.
New EU small‑scale partnerships support NGOs in delivering grassroots activities across countries, helping UESPT to remove barriers to Sport for All at European level.
4. Governance Discussion and FISpT’s Role
During the discussion, a participant asked whether a globally recognized governance “hierarchy” exists for Sport for All federations. Robert L. Rauch explained that Sport for All tends to grow from the bottom up, shaped by national regulations, contexts and organizational needs, resulting in diverse structures rather than a single model.
He emphasized that:
Many organizations contribute to Sport for All with overlapping mandates, which can be positive but requires coordination.
The five featured federations represent relatively well‑established examples, each configured to fit local legislation, sport systems and priorities.
FISpT’s strategic planning includes defining best practices and outlining good structures to support national organizations in organizing and delivering their services more effectively.
Mancho Shapakidze reinforced that countries should not simply copy structures from elsewhere, but instead develop governance frameworks that suit their own realities, while applying shared principles of transparency, inclusion and cooperation.
Robert further noted that FISpT is actively signing Memorandums of Understanding on themes such as integrity, diversity and sustainability with international sport partners, aiming to promote shared objectives and add value for national members.
5. Cross‑Cutting Insights and Recommendations
Based on the five national perspectives and subsequent discussion, several cross‑cutting insights and practical recommendations emerge for Sport for All stakeholders.
5.1 Cross‑cutting insights
Context‑specific implementation, shared values: While structures differ, all countries emphasize health, inclusion, community cohesion and resilience as core values of Sport for All.
Multi‑stakeholder ecosystems: Effective Sport for All delivery requires coordinated action among ministries, NOCs, municipalities, schools, universities, NGOs, clubs and international federations.
Evidence and data: The quantitative data presented (e.g. Ukraine’s participant numbers, France’s participation rates, Macau’s event attendance, Türkiye’s national coverage) show that measurement of reach and impact is increasingly central to governance and accountability.
Inclusion of vulnerable groups: All speakers highlighted the need to reach women, children, seniors, persons with disabilities, refugees and disadvantaged communities, often through dedicated projects and adapted environments.
Integration with global agendas: FISpT’s alignment with IOC–WHO initiatives, WHO/Europe networks, TAFISA and EU programs suggests an emerging global framework for capacity‑building and knowledge exchange in Sport for All.
5.2 Recommended directions for stakeholders
For national federations, NOCs, ministries and partners who did not attend, the following recommendations can be drawn:
1. Strengthen national Sport for All strategies and data systems
o Develop or refine national Sport for All strategies that clearly link to health, education, inclusion and resilience objectives.
o Invest in basic monitoring systems to track participation, reach across target groups, and the geographic distribution of opportunities, enabling evidence‑based planning.
2. Consolidate multi‑stakeholder governance platforms
o Formalize cooperation among ministries, NOCs, local authorities, educational institutions and federations through steering committees or working groups.
o Ensure that Sport for All is represented in national sports councils, Olympic committees and health promotion bodies to avoid fragmentation.
3. Address inequalities in access and territorial gaps
o Prioritize interventions in rural, mountainous, low‑income and high‑risk areas by combining low‑cost infrastructure (parks, school grounds) with mobile programs.
o Use inclusive program design (adapted sports, family events, gender‑sensitive activities) to reduce barriers for women, seniors, persons with disabilities and refugees.
4. Embed physical activity in daily life and digital environments
o Move from isolated events to sustained routines in schools, workplaces, communities and online platforms, following examples from Türkiye and Macau.
o Link local initiatives with global campaigns such as Olympic Day and International Day of Sport for Development and Peace to leverage visibility and shared messaging.
5. Leverage international networks and FISpT guidance
o Engage actively with FISpT’s webinars, MOUs and guidance documents to align national practice with evolving global standards.
o Explore collaboration with TAFISA, ISCA, WHO/Europe and EU programs (e.g. SUCCEED, small‑scale partnerships) for capacity‑building, exchanges and co‑funded projects.
You can see the full video of the seminar here:
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