Board of Directors Meeting 2018 / 1 in Nice (FRA) – Opening Ceremony
NICE (FRA) – In the framework of the commemorative ceremonies of the 70th CISM Anniversary that will take place in Nice on February 18, the Opening Ceremony of the first Board of Directors Meeting 2018 was held in the Villa Furtado located on the “Promenade des Anglais” in Nice, France.
The Ceremony was held in presence of the CISM Acting President, Colonel Dirk Schwede, the CISM Secretary General, Colonel Dorah Mamby Koita, the Chief of Delegation of France to CISM, Colonel Hervé Piccirillo, the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, Capitaine de Vaisseau Raphael Clivaz, the representative of the Mayor of Nice, Mr. Maurice Alberti, the Board of Directors Members and the CISM HQ staff.
“I have the feeling of pride and privilege to stand in front of you and take the floor on behalf of all our 136 Member Nations 70 years after the first CISM President, Squadron Leader Henri Debrus, delivered the founding speech of CISM”, declared Colonel Dirk Schwede CISM acting President. “I would like to express my deep appreciation to the French armed forces and to the authorities of Nice who did not hesitate one instant to invite us in their city, our city, to celebrate our 70th anniversary in a dignified way”.
During his speech, the Chief of Delegation of France to CISM, Colonel Hervé Piccirillo added: “The 18th of February will be specifically set aside for these ceremonies and it is my great joy to celebrate, alongside you, the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of CISM. As you know, the 18th February 1948, under the impetus of Colonel Henri Debrus, France, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands created the International Military Sports Council, CISM, here, in Nice, with the idea of having Armies meet on the sports field. This hope of friendship and peace resulted in the motto of 'Friendship through Sport' and today, 136 Nations continue to write the chronicles of military sport”.
The first session of the Board of Director Meeting will start tomorrow morning in Nice and end on February 17.
(Source: CISM Media and Communication Department)
(Pictures: Mr. Maxime Morlet, CISM Media and Communication Assistant)
