80th CISM General Assembly and Congress opens in Colombo with vision, strategy and global unity through sport
COLOMBO (SRI) - The 80th CISM General Assembly and Congress officially opened yesterday at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo, setting the stage for a decisive week in the life of the International Military Sports Council. The first day was devoted to the second CISM Board of Directors Meeting of 2025, a full-day session that brought together senior representatives from across the globe for high-level discussions on the organization’s direction, values and ambitions.
The day began with a welcoming address by CISM President Colonel Nilton Rolim, who called on all delegates to uphold CISM’s core mission of peace, solidarity and friendship through sport. His remarks set a unifying tone as the roll call confirmed the presence of members from every continent, reaffirming CISM’s truly global reach.
The President’s opening message was followed by a comprehensive report from CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, who outlined recent developments and priorities. He emphasized operational resilience, institutional collaboration and the growing impact of CISM’s international presence. The morning continued with updates from each continental Vice-President. Major General Maikano Abdullahi (Africa), Major General Délio Buenaventura Colón Rosario (Americas), Brigadier General Rashid Mahboob Al-Dosari (Asia) and Colonel Dirk Schwede (Europe) each shared their region’s unique challenges and progress, highlighting the diverse realities and shared objectives of military sport worldwide.
CISM Treasurer General Colonel Sven Serré then presented the organization’s financial report, offering a clear overview of CISM’s financial health and a roadmap for future sustainability. This was followed by a series of reports from CISM’s key commissions. The Strategy, Solidarity, Finance and Budget, Sports, Sports Science and Women in CISM Commissions all shared updates that revealed a dynamic organization in motion, investing in innovation, equity and growth. The Para Sport Working Group, represented by Lieutenant Colonel Davi Pavelec Antonio, highlighted CISM’s expanding commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
After the lunch break, the focus shifted to policy and planning. CISM Sports Director Lieutenant Colonel Jan Van den Dool presented key proposals concerning sports policy, including disciplinary measures for event no-shows and the updated sports calendar through 2027. His session also addressed anti-doping initiatives, the appointment of new PCSCs and a long-term vision for athlete development across CISM competitions.
The afternoon also featured a major announcement from Colonel Joseph Bakari, CISM Games Director, who presented an update on preparations for the next editions of the CISM World Games. He introduced the candidacy of Mungyeong City in the Republic of Korea to host the 2031 Summer Military World Games, drawing significant attention and interest from the delegates.
The final segment of the day focused on academic initiatives. Lieutenant Commander Florentia Sfakianou presented proposals for the 2027 CISM International Symposium host nation, nominations for the ACISM and the awarding of the prestigious Commandant Raoul Mollet distinction. A brief question and answer session concluded the meeting before Colonel Rolim delivered his closing remarks, commending the delegates for a productive and forward-looking first session.
Looking ahead, today will mark a ceremonial and collaborative highlight of the Congress. The Opening Ceremony of the 80th CISM Congress will take place, followed by the official group photo, a high tea reception and a press conference.
The day will continue with internal meetings of the PCSC, the Sports Commission and the other CISM Commissions. As the week continues, the momentum built today promises to carry CISM further in its mission of uniting the world’s armed forces through the power of sport.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Sri Lanka Delegation to CISM)
