The Federation Internationale de Sand et Land Yachting (FISLY) that is lead by Irish President Alan Watson has been granted Observer status by the Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF).
Founded in 1962, FISLY becomes the 10th International Federation (IF) to join the Observer programme, which supports the development and provides an opportunity for federations to take advantage of GAISF’s vast network.
Observer status has been designed as a first step in a clear pathway towards full GAISF membership.
At the announcement in Lausanne, Switzerland are from left to right are: François Garnavault (France) FISLY member, Davide Delfini (GAISF Membership Application Manager), Alan Watson (Ireland) FISLY President, Antonio Espinos (GAISF Membership Commission) and on the right, Philippe Gueisbuhler (GAISF Head of Administration)
Observers benefit from guidance on fulfilling all the criteria required for full membership, such as becoming WADA compliant and receiving recognition from its National Olympic Committee or national sports authority, and each Observer can take part in the annual IF Forum and General Assembly, though it has no right to vote.
Following the announcement, Watson said: “We are delighted that the GAISF have accepted FISLY as an Observer. We are honoured that work carried out over the past decades by previous and current FISLY members is being recognised for its contribution to the sport of land sailing through the acceptance by GAISF.
“The importance for FISLY of obtaining GAISF recognition cannot be understated in our quest for further sustainable growth, it has long been a FISLY objective.”
GAISF Membership Commission Chair Antonio Espinos added: “The mission of Observer status is to help IFs such as FISLY by providing practical advice and support as it seeks to grow globally. We have already seen the willingness and commitment from FISLY and look forward to helping the federation achieve its goals.”
At the 2018 GAISF General Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) became the first IF to progress from Observer to Full Member, highlighting that Observer status provides an invaluable platform from which federations can grow.
The European Landsailing Championships is one of FISLY’s most prominent annual events, and in 2017 Ireland and England jointly hosted the 52nd edition. The seventh World Championships will be held in October 2018, on the magnificent beaches of St Peter Ording and Borkum in Germany, where competitors from amongst the 25 current FISLY members will participate in seven different classes of land sailing craft.
