World Sport for All and IFSO Establish New Partnership to Promote Inclusive Sport and Strengthen Support for Sports Officials

The International Sport for All Federation (FISpT), known as World Sport for All, and the International Federation for Sports Officials (IFSO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop cooperation between their organizations and networks.

The agreement establishes a mutual membership relationship: World Sport for All will become a member of IFSO, and IFSO will become a member and committee member of World Sport for All. Within World Sport for All, IFSO will contribute specialist knowledge on sports officials and officiating.

Recognising the role of officials

IFSO is an international organization dedicated to the education, support, and development of sports officials and referees worldwide. Its work promotes the professional development, safeguarding, and recognition of officials across sporting disciplines. Through educational activities—including seminars and webinars—as well as policy initiatives, IFSO works to strengthen the knowledge, capacity, and standing of those responsible for applying the rules and supporting the fair conduct of sport.

Sports officials are essential to sporting activity at every level. Their work helps competitions take place fairly and safely, and supports the trust, integrity, and respect on which sport depends. Yet officials also need access to education, appropriate safeguarding, and recognition as an integral part of the sporting community. The partnership gives these priorities a stronger place within a broader Sport for All framework.

Shared values and areas of cooperation

World Sport for All and IFSO share a commitment to inclusion, participation, integrity, good governance, safeguarding, and the educational and social value of sport. By bringing together World Sport for All’s international Sport for All network and IFSO’s expertise in officiating, the organizations aim to connect these priorities and encourage greater understanding of the contribution officials make to sport.

Cooperation may include educational programmes, training activities, seminars and webinars; the exchange of knowledge, publications, and good practices; and collaboration at relevant international, regional, and national events. The organizations will also seek opportunities to promote respect for and safeguarding of officials, strengthen recognition of their role, and explore capacity-building initiatives related to Sport for All, integrity, and officiating.

The MoU also provides a basis for IFSO to contribute expertise to World Sport for All activities where officials’ perspectives are relevant, while enabling World Sport for All to share IFSO’s initiatives and learning opportunities through its communication channels and networks.

A platform for future collaboration

The agreement creates a framework for the two organizations to identify and develop joint activities in line with their respective governance processes. The partnership is intended to support practical collaboration and knowledge-sharing, while respecting the distinct roles and expertise of each organization.

By formally connecting their memberships, World Sport for All and IFSO reaffirm that inclusive, accessible sport depends not only on opportunities for participation, but also on the people and systems that make sport fair, safe, and welcoming. Supporting sports officials is therefore an important part of strengthening Sport for All.

About World Sport for All

The International Sport for All Federation (FISpT), known as World Sport for All, is an international organization dedicated to promoting Sport for All, inclusive participation, physical activity, and the social and educational value of sport. It works to advance opportunities for people to engage in sport and physical activity across communities and at all levels.

About IFSO

The International Federation for Sports Officials (IFSO) is an international organization dedicated to the education, support, and development of sports officials and referees worldwide. IFSO promotes their professional development, safeguarding, and recognition through education, seminars, webinars, policy initiatives, and collaboration across sport.