Second CISM Defence Attachés Day strengthens friendship through sport in Brussels
BRUSSELS (BEL) – The International Military Sports Council (CISM) successfully organised the second edition of the CISM Defence Attachés Day on 21 September 2026 at the Sportcity Center in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Brussels, bringing together Defence Attachés and military representatives from numerous CISM member nations for a day combining sport, discovery, camaraderie and international exchange.
Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025, the 2026 CISM Defence Attachés Day once again offered representatives of the international military community based in Brussels an opportunity to discover CISM and its values through sport. The initiative provided an informal and dynamic setting in which participants could meet their counterparts, strengthen professional and personal relations, and experience first-hand the spirit behind CISM's motto, "Friendship through Sport."
Defence Attachés and representatives from Burundi, Egypt, France, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Niger, Serbia, Tunisia, the United States of America, Vietnam, Kosovo, Zambia and South Africa took part in the event, alongside representatives of the Belgian Armed Forces and CISM.
The day began with a welcome coffee before participants were introduced to the objectives and programme of the event. The sporting activities then opened with a collective warm-up and an introduction to contact sports, immediately setting an energetic and friendly tone for the day.
Participants subsequently rotated through a series of agility, power and cardio workshops, designed to encourage participation regardless of individual sporting background or level of fitness. The programme also included precision activities inspired by biathlon, with laser target shooting, as well as blowgun shooting, adding elements of concentration, coordination and friendly competition to the physical challenges.
Another important part of the programme was dedicated to team sport and para-sport awareness. Participants were introduced to wheelchair rugby, giving them an opportunity not only to experience a demanding para-sport discipline but also to better understand the athletic skills, mobility, teamwork and determination involved in adapted sport.
The activities were conducted with the support of French military sports instructors from the 15 du Pacifique, who managed and supervised the different sporting workshops throughout the day. Their expertise, enthusiasm and ability to involve participants contributed significantly to the dynamic and inclusive character of the event.
The Belgian Armed Forces also provided valuable support to the organisation, notably through medical assistance and support for the implementation of the day's activities, helping ensure that the programme could be conducted in safe and professional conditions.
Beyond the sporting programme, the Defence Attachés Day was above all an opportunity for interaction. Throughout the different workshops, participants encouraged one another, worked together and shared plenty of good humour. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere allowed military representatives from different countries, ranks and professional backgrounds to interact outside their usual diplomatic and official environment.
Following the sporting activities, participants gathered for a standing lunch at Sportcity. The informal gathering provided another opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss military sport and CISM activities, and further strengthen the relationships developed during the morning.
The second edition confirmed the value of the CISM Defence Attachés Day as a meeting point between the diplomatic military community in Brussels and CISM. By combining physical activity, para-sport awareness, teamwork and informal exchanges, the initiative demonstrates in a very practical way how sport can create connections beyond national, cultural and professional boundaries.
The successful 2026 edition also built on the foundations established during the inaugural event in 2025, further developing an initiative designed to bring CISM closer to Defence Attachés and military representatives accredited in Belgium.
With its international participation, diverse sporting programme and particularly warm and friendly atmosphere, the second CISM Defence Attachés Day once again reflected the organisation's commitment to using sport as a tool for dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among the Armed Forces of its member nations.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)
