Presidents of CISM Sports Committee gather in Brussels for the 2026-1 Annual Meeting
BRUSSELS (BEL) – The International Military Sports Council (CISM) hosted the 2026-1 Annual Meeting between the CISM General Secretariat and the Presidents of CISM Sports Committees (PCSCs) at its Headquarters in Brussels on 11 and 12 March 2026. The meeting brought together the leaders responsible for CISM’s various sports disciplines to review ongoing activities, coordinate future competitions, and strengthen cooperation across the global military sports community.
The session opened with welcoming remarks from CISM President Colonel Nilton Rolim and CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, who highlighted the essential role played by the PCSCs in the development and credibility of CISM competitions worldwide.
“The Presidents of the CISM Sports Committees are the driving force behind the quality and success of our competitions. Their expertise, dedication and leadership ensure that military athletes around the world compete under the best possible conditions while promoting our core values of friendship and solidarity through sport,” said Colonel Nilton Rolim connected remotely in VTC from Brazil.
A central component of the meeting consisted of presentations delivered by each PCSC, providing updates on the development of their respective disciplines, recent World Military Championships, and preparations for upcoming competitions and training initiatives. These exchanges enabled participants to share best practices and address organizational and technical challenges across sports.
The discussions also allowed the General Secretariat to gain valuable insight into the evolving needs of the sports committees and the opportunities for further strengthening the CISM sports programme.
“These meetings are extremely important because they allow us to align the work of the sports committees with the strategic direction of CISM. The dialogue between the PCSCs and the General Secretariat ensures that our competitions continue to evolve while maintaining the highest standards of organization and sporting excellence,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Ferré, CISM Sports Director.
The second day of the meeting featured briefings from several departments within the CISM Headquarters. The Academic Department, represented by Commander Florentia Sfakianou, presented ongoing educational initiatives aimed at strengthening knowledge exchange within the military sports community. The Media and Communication Department, led by David Vandenplas, outlined strategies to enhance the global visibility of CISM competitions and strengthen collaboration with International Federations and partners. Meanwhile, Colonel Joseph Bakari, Head of the Games Department, presented updates on the planning and organization of future CISM Games and major competitions.
Strengthening the global military sports network
For the PCSCs themselves, the meeting represented an important opportunity to exchange ideas and reinforce collaboration among the committees responsible for the many sports practiced within CISM.
The meeting concluded with final remarks from the CISM leadership, reaffirming the importance of close coordination between the General Secretariat and the sports committees in delivering high-quality competitions worldwide.
Through gatherings such as the PCSC Annual Meeting, CISM continues to strengthen the foundations of its sports programme and ensure that military athletes from its 142 member nations can compete in an environment that reflects the organization’s enduring motto: “Friendship through Sport.”
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)
