Season's Greetings

Dear Members, Colleagues, and Friends,  

What an eventful year 2024 has been! As I look back and reflect on our achievements this year, I feel deep gratitude towards you all for contributing to our successes. With your support, TAFISA has been able to thrive and develop in many different directions.  

Throughout the year, the Sport for All Movement thrived and demonstrated its power positively impact the lives of people globally. With the start of the “TAFISA Regional Outreach Year” as part of our Strategic Roadmap, we have expanded our reach on all continents, with a first Regional Forum successfully hosted by our member KORMI in Indonesia gathering countries across the Southeast Asia region. We have been working together with our members to pursue Sport for All efforts in Europe, Asia, Africa, and further expanded to the Americas and Oceania, developing new partnerships, implementing dynamic projects, and look forward to future opportunities. We have carried the voice of our members at international platforms such as UNESCO CIGEPS and the Council of Europe. We have continued developing our partnership and collaboration with global organizations like IOC, UNESCO, WHO, EU, CoE, Ibero-American Sports Council, African Union, Nike, IWG on Women in Sport, or ASEAN among others.   

TAFISA’s efforts this year have driven remarkable progress and empowered communities worldwide through Sport for All initiatives. Here are some key highlights from 2024:

• Development of the SUCCEED Framework: In collaboration with the IOC through the Olympism365 strategy, this framework provides a unified and synergistic approach to capacity building, empowering communities through Sport for All.
• TAFISA Mission 2030 Webinars: Attracted 2,990 participants from 123 countries, providing insights into current Sport for All issues.
• Girls Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway: Supported by Nike, trained 1,040 coaches, with many more expected in 2025.
• Capacity Building Initiatives: Certified Leadership Courses and INTERACT+ trainings have further enhanced the impact of local, national, and international sport organizations in fostering a better world through Sport for All.
• Launch of the Knowledge Exchange Commission: This new initiative aims to foster global collaboration and knowledge sharing between experts, practitioners, researchers, and leaders worldwide.
• 3rd European Sport for All Games: Limerick Sports Partnership has been selected to host this event in August 2026, celebrating Traditional Sports and Games, physical activity cultures, diversity, peace, and community spirit.
• World Walking Day (6th October): An outstanding success with 382,077 participants representing 94 countries across all time zones, showcasing global unity and support for important causes.

As we are getting ready for 2025 and beyond, we are looking forward to meeting up and exchanging with our members and partners. The TAFISA European Forum will provide a great platform for connecting with our community and developing the future of Sport for All on the continent. The 29th TAFISA World Congress 2026 to be hosted in Prague, Czech Republic by Sokol will stand as a momentous milestone for the global Sport for All Movement to connect and collaborate.    

I feel great pride and humility in being part of the leadership team of such an outstanding organization. I express my gratitude to both current and past TAFISA Board Members for their dedicated volunteer engagement. I would also like to extend my thanks to the TAFISA Office staff for their passion, commitment, and hard work. I eagerly anticipate the opportunities and challenges that 2025 and the future will bring. We are better together.  

I eagerly anticipate continuing together with you all next year as we pursue our collective mission towards a better world through Sport for All.

Warm regards, 

Wolfgang Baumann
TAFISA President