28th TAFISA World Congress in Düsseldorf Ready for Take Off!

“Sport for All: More together than ever” - 28th TAFISA World Congress in Düsseldorf Ready for Take Off!

From 1 to 5 November, representatives from all over the world - from grassroots to international sports organisations - will come together at the Hilton Hotel in Düsseldorf for the TAFISA World Congress. Under the congress motto “Sport for All: More together than ever,” the delegates will experience an expansive and active conference programme in the capital of Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region.

Over 350 participants from over 70 countries will fill the four days of the TAFISA World Congress 2023 with experience, expertise, and knowledge. There will be a total of 15 conference sessions, four evening events and three “Sport for All Case Study Visits” (excursions to relevant sports venues in Duesseldorf and the surrounding area). The main topics of the Congress include inclusion in sports, sports spaces and infrastructure, sharing expertise and knowledge, the impact of climate change on grassroots sports, sports as a peacekeeper, people's well-being, as well as sports policy and youth sports development. All topics are aligned with the human right of “Sport for All” called for by TAFISA. In this context, the congress motto "More together than ever" particularly underlines the unifying character of this congress.  

TAFISA President Mr Wolfgang Baumann:
“Sport has a unifying power. Especially in volatile times, the joy of sport and exercise brings people together. We want to live this at the 28th TAFISA World Congress, too. We are looking forward to welcoming delegates from all over the world with different cultural backgrounds. For the four Congress days, Düsseldorf will be the world capital of sports! Germany is once again fulfilling the important role it plays in sports politics as part of the worldwide ‘Sport for All’ movement.”

The Congress is organised by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) in cooperation with the State Chancellery of the North Rhine-Westphalia region and the State Sports Confederation of North Rhine-Westphalia. The conference program can be viewed online at the congress website here. At the opening of the congress on 2 November at 9:00, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Mr Hendrik Wüst will also speak.

Minister President Mr Hendrik Wüst: 
“North Rhine-Westphalia is an excellent location for the TAFISA World Congress. Here in Germany’s number one region for sports, sport is firmly anchored in our identity as a state where people from all parts of the world feel at home. Numerous top-class sporting events are held here on a regular basis, such as the Invictus Games or next year's European Handball Championships. In North Rhine-Westphalia, sports are a way of life - with conviction, passion, and team spirit. That is why I am very happy to welcome the participants of the TAFISA World Congress to the sports state of Northrhine-Westphalia!”  

For Germany’s organised sports, this conference is an important exchange forum for the development of grassroots sports. That is why the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the State Sports Confederation of Northrhine-Westphalia are particularly looking forward to this congress:  

Ms Kerstin Holze, Vice President at DOSB:
“We are very pleased to welcome the international grassroots sports family to Germany. At the TAFISA World Congress, topics will be discussed that also affect us at the national level. I hope that our international guests will provide food for thought and impetus for our debate here on getting more people moving and creating the best possible framework conditions for sport and exercise. The orientation of the Congress fits well with the DOSB's overarching goal of setting new impulses for sports development both nationally and internationally in the coming years.”

Dr Eva Selic, Vice President at the State Sports Federation of North Rhine-Westphalia:
“For some time now, it has become clear that the general idea of grassroots sports is in the midst of change. This is because, beyond the form to which we have been accustomed in the past, non-club-based, more flexible or digital exercise offerings have long played an increasingly important role. We, in the organized sports in Germany’s Northrhine-Westphalia region, must also actively and creatively accompany this development, which is why we hope that the TAFISA World Congress will provide us with valuable insights and impetus in this regard.”