[President's Corner] Play. Connect. Inspire. - Reflections from Limerick

Beyond the great success that was the 3^rd TAFISA European Sport for All Games in Limerick, Ireland, the event was a great reminder and source of inspiration for what Sport for All is and can be. During the event, we saw people who had never practised sports start to move, play games and most importantly, enjoy themselves. Where some parents were used to bringing their kids to the playground or sport club and watching them play, in Limerick we saw them join in the fun and play together as a family, reinforcing their bond. Whether we are talking about traditional sports and games or new and emerging sports, through their diversity of approaches, they offer something for everyone and represent a powerful resource to make play and sport more appealing and inclusive to those who are not yet physically active.

The TAFISA European Sport for All Games was a celebration of the rich culture of traditional sports and games and emerging and new sports. Traditional sports and games provide a unique platform for all people to be physically active, regardless of gender, race, religion, ability, or social background. Delegations from all over Europe connected with local communities in Limerick, celebrating diversity while bringing forth a message of mutual understanding, friendship, respect, and peace.

This might be the most important takeaway from the event. The host, Limerick Sports Partnership, ensured that whatever they did aligned with their current work and strategy, from their Global Active City approach, by activating public spaces to engage local citizens in the event, to their work with at-risk and marginalised communities, which they presented during the conference held as part of the event. The link with the national context was all the clearer, as the TAFISA European Sport for All Games took place during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. As the Irish Presidency is leading the work on Council Conclusions on Traditional Sports and Games, looking at their relevance as an intrinsic part of European culture and sporting heritage as well as their ability to drive inclusive Sport for All participation, the TAFISA European Games were a timely addition to the calendar of events in Ireland and Europe.

This served as a strong reminder of the nature of the work we can do through Sport for All. The event had guests from international and European organisations and institutions such as UNESCO and the Council of Europe and connected the dots from policy and strategy all the way down to the local context, engaging with communities and citizens benefiting from Sport for All initiatives. This connection from policy to practice, with actual outcomes on the lives of people, is a great showcase of what Sport for All initiatives and events can bring forward, and I am optimistic that the TAFISA World Sport for All Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2028 will further demonstrate how Sport for All can contribute to a better world.

In the spirit of Sport for All
Janez Sodržnik, TAFISA President