85th Congress of International Gymnastics Federation Concludes in Doha

Doha: The 85th Congress of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has successfully concluded in Doha. The three-day event brought together over 500 officials representing 157 national gymnastics federations from around the globe. FIG President Morinari Watanabe, First Vice President Ali Al Hitmi, alongside several FIG officials and representatives from national federations attended the final day of this event. The financial plan for the federation for the next four years (2025-2028) was signed on the third and final day. This plan will initiate the implementation of the FIG strategy and objectives, which include organizing world tournaments in the seven branches of gymnastics, hosting 'Gymnastics for All' events, managing tournaments and other international events, and supporting educational and development programs globally. The participants discussed an array of reports for the Independent Ethics Foundation for Gymnastics and the International Solidarity Foundation, highlighting the latest develop ments pertaining to protection of athletes, along with the governance report of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. The Congress approved modifications to the FIG statute, foremost of which is the inclusion of gymnastics for persons with special needs (PWSN) as a new competitive branch, along with the launch of a new trademark that designates FIG. Additionally, the participants approved the joining of five national federations to FIG, namely federations of Antigua and Barbuda, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, and Zambia, bringing the number of federations under FIG umbrella to 164. The convened federations unanimously approved the Gymnastics Association of Thailand's bid to host the 86th FIG Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. The event accorded silver and bronze awards to a phalanx of members and honored the Secretary-General of Qatar Gymnastics Federation Abeer Al Bouainin, Assistant Secretary-General Muhammad Al Maraghi and member of the Board of Directors Eisa Al Hitami. The congress m eetings reelected Ali Al Hitmi as FIG First Vice President during the elections, in addition to reelecting Morinari Watanabe as President. Al Hitmi affirmed that the meetings of the 85th Congress of GIF in Doha were productive at all levels which aimed to advance the game and elevate the number of participating countries. Speaking to Qatar News Agency , Al Hitmi underlined that the most salient points discussed were related to FIG regulatory rules, along with technical matters that were endorsed, affirming that FIG budgets for 2025 and 2024 were approved. He added that the convention endorsed the bid for holding the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta 2025, pointing out that the foremost gains of today's meetings were the adoption of the PWSN Gymnastics sport as a discipline and approving its regulatory rules. Al Hitmi affirmed that PWSN will participate in special tournaments in the years ahead since they are part and parcel of the society, especially since their engagement in sport acti vities and special tournaments will help include them in the sport community. In addition, Al Hitmi emphasized that the unflagging work of committees and Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) under the presidency of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani has significantly contributed to winning the position of First Vice President of FIG for the second. For her part, Chairperson of GIF Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee and member of the executive office Noha Abou Shabana, lauded the outstanding organization of the 85th Congress of GIF, affirming that she is delighted to be reelected for this position for the second time. Speaking to QNA, Abou Shabana added that the three-day meetings in Doha were unequivocally stellar and featured a substantial number of attendants in the history of this game which exceeded 500 officials of national federations from 157 countries. She highlighted that the meetings discussed numerous points, foremost of which were the technical and strategies of this game, in addition to electing pe ople for numerous and vital positions from the upcoming session. The meetings were laser-focused on methods of advancing Gymnastics, increasing the number of participating countries, caring for players, and preparing for the coming tournaments. Source: Qatar News Agency