PRESS RELEASE

For immediate use

On the occasion of Sportaccord held in April in Berlin, Germany, 

•	The World Bridge Federation (WBF), represented by Mr. J. Damiani, President
•	The International Chess Federation (FIDE), represented by Mr. G. Makropoulos, Deputy   President and Mr. D. Jarrett, Treasurer
•	The World Federation of the Draughts Games (FMJD), represented by Mr. W.van Beek, Vice-President 
•	The International Go Federation (IGF), represented by Mt. E. Puyt, Vice-President and Mr. R. Yamamoto, General Manager

met together under the aegis of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

The four Federations decided to constitute the International Mind Sport Association (IMSA) having the objective, among others, to regularly organise the “World Mind Sport Games” on a four years cycle.

The Executive Boards of the four Federations have now confirmed that they accept to become member of this new association and to participate actively at the organisation of the event.

The IMSA will be administered by an Executive Committee composed as follows:

President: José Damiani, (FRA) 
Deputy President: George Makropoulos (GRE) 
Secretary General: Erik Puyt (NED) 
Treasurer: Wouter van Beek, (NED) 
Honorary Secretary: Jean Claude Schupp (FRA)

IMSA intends to work towards a high level recognition of teaching these mind sports to young people in order to help them in their curriculum. IMSA will therefore work in liaison with - in addition to GAISF – the IOC, UNESCO and UN. It is convinced of its capacity to improve the level of education in the world and to participate in more peaceful entente through the practice of these sports.
 
Contact for IMSA 

C/O WBF
40, rue François 1er
75008 PARIS
France
e-mail: cfrancin@comm-unity.fr.

(JCS 13.06.05)