International Sport for All Federation welcomes the World Draughts Federation (FMJD) to its Committee

The International Sport for All Federation (FISpT) is pleased to announce that the Fédération Mondiale du Jeu de Dames (FMJD – World Draughts Federation) has joined its committee as the organisation representing the sport of draughts.  This collaboration strengthens FISpT’s mission to promote accessible, inclusive physical activity and mind sports for people of all ages and abilities around the world.

FMJD, founded in Paris in 1947 by the national federations of France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland, is the global governing body for draughts.  From its legal seat at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland, FMJD regulates and organises world championships in multiple categories and time controls, promoting draughts as a competitive sport and as a tool for education and social development.

By welcoming FMJD into its committee, FISpT recognises the important role of mind sports in broadening participation in “sport for all”.  Draughts is a low-cost, easily accessible activity that can be played across generations and cultures, in schools, community centres, clubs and online, creating opportunities for inclusion regardless of physical condition or background.

The cooperation between FISpT and FMJD will encourage joint initiatives that connect organized draughts activities with wider sport-for-all programmes, including youth engagement, active ageing, and social inclusion projects.  It will also open pathways for FMJD’s member federations worldwide to engage more directly with the sport-for-all movement at international level.

Commenting on the announcement, FISpT CEO Marco Tomasini said: “Welcoming the World Draughts Federation into the International Sport for All Federation committee is an important step in recognising the full diversity of sport and physical activity. Draughts is a powerful educational and social tool: it develops strategic thinking, concentration and respect for the opponent, while remaining accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Together with FMJD, we want to make sure that more communities, schools and local clubs can use draughts as a simple but effective way to bring people together and promote a healthier, more inclusive society.”

FMJD President Janek Mäggi recalled the importance of cooperation between international sports bodies to strengthen Sport, that for the FMJD means to pursue the goals of its Statute as to promote and develop Draughts at all levels on a world-wide basis, as a means to contribute to the positive development of society, increasing at the same time the level of recognition from the IOC Stakeholders,  to be a modern, flexible, transparent and accountable organization, in view of the next 80th Anniversary of the FMJD.

FMJD International relations Manager Carlo Bordini added: “For FMJD, joining the committee of the International Sport for All Federation is a natural extension of our work, to empower our federation. Since 1947, indeed, our federation has focused on organising world-class competitions and supporting national federations, but we believe that draughts belongs to everyone and it can reach everybody all around the world, as a mind-game and a sport network. Partnering with FISpT allows us to connect our global draughts community with broader sport-for-all initiatives, from youth programmes to senior activities and social projects. We are proud to contribute our experience, our values and our network to the shared goal of making sport, mind and physical activity, truly universal.”

The Fédération Mondiale du Jeu de Dames (FMJD – World Draughts Federation) is the international governing body for draughts, founded in 1947 to regulate world championships and coordinate the development of the sport.  FMJD organises regular world championships for men, women, youth and veterans in different game rates, and supports its member federations with regulations, calendars, rating systems, policies (as Clean Psort, etc.), and development programmes.  FMJD is a member of SportAccord (via AIMS), reflecting its role within the global family of international sports federations.