The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF;

Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...

: الاتحاد الرياضي للتضامن الاسلامي) is the supreme authority governing the

Islamic Solidarity Games The Islamic Solidarity Games ( ar, ألعاب التضامن الإسلامي) is a multinational, multi-sport event. The Games involve the elite athletes of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation who compete in a variety of sports. The Solidari ...

. It is an international,

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

non-governmental organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

based in

Riyadh Riyadh (, ar, الرياض, 'ar-Riyāḍ, lit.: 'The Gardens' Najdi pronunciation: ), formerly known as Hajr al-Yamamah, is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of the R ...

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the A ...

. Its mission is to increase the cooperation between the Islamic countries through sports. Currently, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...

is ISSF President since 8 April 2019.

History

At their 3rd Islamic Summit Conference held in

Mecca Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red ...

and

Ta'if Taif ( ar, , translit=aṭ-Ṭāʾif, lit=The circulated or encircled, ) is a city and governorate in the Makkan Region of Saudi Arabia. Located at an elevation of in the slopes of the Hijaz Mountains, which themselves are part of the Sarat M ...

(1981), the leaders of Islamic world adopted a decision to establish the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) in order to serve the needs of the OIC member countries in all aspects of sports activities. In 1985 and at the initiative of President of Youth Welfare of Saudi Arabia Prince

Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Faisal, Faisel, Fayçal or Faysal ( ar, فيصل) is an Arabic given name. Faisal, Fayçal or Faysal may also refer to: People * King Faisal (disambiguation) ** Faisal I of Iraq and Syria (1885–1933), leader during the Arab Revolt ** Faisal ...

, the OIC invited the NOCs and Youth and Sports governmental organizations in Muslim countries to attend the constituent assembly for the foundation of the ISSF in the

. Representatives of 34 Muslim countries attended this assembly and ratified the ISSF statute. Under the guidance of the Government of the

, Prince

Faisal bin Fahd Faisal, Faisel, Fayçal or Faysal ( ar, فيصل) is an Arabic given name. Faisal, Fayçal or Faysal may also refer to: People * King Faisal (disambiguation) ** Faisal I of Iraq and Syria (1885–1933), leader during the Arab Revolt ** Faisal II ...

announced the allocation of the ISSF headquarters to be at the

Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (IOC code: KSA; ar, اللجنة الأولمبية السعودية وأولمبياد المعاقين) is the National Olympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee representing Saudi Arabia. U ...

complex in

city. He also announced the allocation of an annual subsidy from the

for the administration of the ISSF.

ISSF Presidents

* HE Turki bin Abdulmohsen bin Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh resigned on 28 December 2018.

ISSF Executive Board

The ISSF shall be steered by an Executive Board composed of 17 members, 13 of whom shall be elected directly by the General Assembly. The composition shall be as follows: The President, one vice-president and two members from each continent i.e. Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. Secretary General and Treasurer shall be nominated by the headquarters country and approved by the General Assembly. One representative of the OIC is appointed by the OIC Secretary General. One representative of the country hosting the next edition of

but without voting rights. The mandate of the Executive Board membership shall be of four years and renewable. Following is the current Executive Board serving 2017 – 2021 term.

Objectives and tasks of ISSF

The stated mission of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) is to promote friendship and cooperation between Islamic countries through sports. * To supervise the organization of a multi-sport event be held once every four years for member countries. This event shall be called the

. * To supervise the organization of tournaments and championships in all sports. * To encourage the exchange of bilateral visits between sports teams of Member countries. * To enter into cooperation agreements with sports organizations at international, continental and regional levels. * To train and develop sports cadres in Member states through the exchange of technical expertise and the organization of training courses in various fields of sports. * To hold conferences, symposia, exhibitions and museums, to supervise studies and researches and to disseminate publications serving the ISSF goals.

References

External links