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This is alist of international sports federations , each of which serves as anon-governmental governing body for a givensport and administers its sport at a world level, most often crafting rules, promoting the sport to prospectivespectators andfans , developing prospective players, and organizing world orcontinental championships. Some international sports federations, such asWorld Aquatics and theInternational Skating Union , may oversee multiple activities referred to in common parlance as separate sports: World Aquatics, for example governs swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, and water polo as separate "disciplines" within the single "sport" of Aquatics.
International sports federations form an integral part of the Olympic and Paralympic movements. EachOlympic sport is represented by its respective international sports federation, which in turn helps administer the events in its respective sport during the Games. For a sport to become an Olympic sport, its international sports federation must be recognized by theInternational Olympic Committee .[ 1]
Likewise, an international sports federation must be recognized by theInternational Paralympic Committee for its sport to become a paralympic sport, though in the latter case, severalParalympic Sports are governed by a dedicated committee of the International Paralympic Committee itself, under theWorld Para branding, for example track and field athletics for disabled athletes is governed by the IPC itself, under the name "World Para Athletics". Other Paralympic sports are governed within the structure of the able-bodied equivalent: for example, the UCI governs both able-bodied and paralympic cycling.
[ edit ] [ edit ] International federations may apply to become a full member if they govern a core Summer Olympic sport or govern a sport which featured in the three most recent Summer Olympics. They may apply to become an associate member if they govern a sport included on the programme for future editions of the Summer Olympic Games or govern a sport which has featured in any five editions of the Summer Olympic Games since 1988.[ 2]
As of June 2025, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) has 30 full member and six associate member international federations.[ 3] [ 4]
[ edit ] [ edit ] The ARISF's members areinternational sports federations recognised by the IOC whose sport is currently not competed in either the Summer or Winter Olympics. As of March 2025, 40 governing bodies are members of the ARISF:[ 9] [ 10]
Federations recognized by SportAccord or GAISF [ edit ] Federations whose sports are either included in theOlympic Games (ASOIF, AIOWF) or recognized by the IOC (ARISF) are also stakeholders ofSportAccord ,[ 12] Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) in 2023. Other stakeholders of SportAccord (non-IOC recognized) compose theAlliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS).[ 13]
AIMS is a stakeholder ofSportAccord that represents sports federations that were not yet recognized by theInternational Olympic Committee (IOC). As of September 2025, AIMS has 20 full member federations.[ 14]
As of September 2025, AIMS has 9 associate members.[ 15]
Before the dissolution of GAISF in 2023, the GAISF Observer Status could be requested by the applicants for GAISF membership interested to obtain support and guidance in their path to fulfil the GAISF membership criteria. At the time of dissolution, it had 11 observers:[ 16]
Associate members of GAISF [ edit ] Before the dissolution of GAISF in 2023, other than full members (composing ASOIF, AIOWF, ARISF and AIMS), there have been Associate members of GAISF.[ 17] [ 18] [citation needed
[ edit ] There are 18 international federations recognized by theIPC , while the IPC itself serves as the international federation for six sports. IPC recognises also 3 International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled. And there are another 15 federations which are recognised by the IPC but are not eligible to be IPC members.[ 19]
Sports directly governed by IPC [ edit ] On 30 November 2016, the IPC adopted the "World Para" brand for all 10 of the sports that it directly governed at that time.[ 20] [ 21] Para-alpine skiing ,para cross country skiing andpara snowboard were transferred toFIS ,[ 21] Para biathlon was transferred toIBU to be overseen by a joint steering committee involving IBU and FIS.[ 22] [ 23]
International Federations [ edit ] International Federations are independent sport federations recognised by the IPC as the sole representative of a Paralympic sport. As of August 2025, the IPC recognises 18 International Federations representing 20parasports :[ 19]
International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled [ edit ] International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled (IOSDs) are independent organisations recognised by the IPC as the sole representatives of a specific impairment group. The IPC currently recognises 3 IOSDs:[ 19]
Following two years of talks, and relevant decisions by both their General Assemblies, on 1 January 2023, theCerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) and theInternational Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) were merged to formWorld Abilitysport .[ 34]
[ edit ] The IPC recognises a number of international sports federations which are not eligible to be IPC members, but contribute to the development of sport opportunities for athletes associated with the Paralympic Movement and have organisational goals that are compatible with the Vision and Mission of the IPC. The following 13 are IPC-recognised international sport federations:[ 19]
Non-SportAccord and non-GAISF federations that are TAFISA members [ edit ] The international federations listed below, for the time being, are not members ofGlobal Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) orSportAccord , but are among the international members ofThe Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA).[ 35]
The international federations listed below are not related to either ofGAISF ,SportAccord orThe Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA):
Sport Federation Aesthetic group gymnastics International Federation of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (IFAAG )Amputee football World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF )Arnis World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF)Australian rules football Australian Football International (AFI)Axe throwing International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF )Beach handball World Beach Handball Association (WBHA)[citation needed Beach soccer Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) (associated withFédération Internationale de Football Association Beeni World Beeni Federation (WBF)[citation needed Brazilian jiu-jitsu Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF)Bodyboarding International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC )Bodybuilding , fitness, figure, bikini, physique and wellnessInternational Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness Professional League (IFBB Pro League)Boot throwing International Bootthrowing Association (IBTA)[ 37] [ 38] [ 39] Bowls Professional Bowls Association (PBA)World Bowls (WB)Boxing International Boxing Association (IBA)World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF )Broomball International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA)Cageball Professional Cageball Association (PCA)[citation needed Card games (Gin Rummy ,Guandan ,Two Against One ,Open Face Poker )[ 40] Federation of Card Games (FCG )Catch wrestling The Snake Pit (Wigan) Correspondence chess International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF)Croquet World Croquet Federation (WCF)Crossminton International Crossminton Organisation (ICO )Debating World Universities Debating Council (WUDC)Debating (in Spanish)Consejo Mundial de Debate CMD )eSports Global Esports Federation (GEF)Elephant polo World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA)[ 41] Floor tennis World Floor Tennis Federation (WFTF )Footvolley International Footvolley Federation (FIFv)[ 42] [ 43] European Footvolley League (EFVL )Futnet /Football Tennis Union Internationale de Futnet (UNIF )Federation International de Footballtennis Association (FIFTA )Futsal Asociación Mundial de Futsal (AMF)Gateball World Gateball Union (WGU )Gillidanda Gilli Danda International Federation (GDIF [dead link Gorodki International Federation of Gorodki Sport (IFGS)[ 44] Greyhound racing World Greyhound Racing Federation (WGRF ) [non-regulatory body]Ground golf [ 45] International Ground Golf Federation (IGGF )Ham radio contesting ,amateur radio direction finding , andhigh speed telegraphy /Radiosport International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)Handball / Wallball / One-wall handball International Ball game Confederation (CIJB)World Handball Council (WHC)[ 46] World Wall Ball Association (WWBA)[ 47] Hapkido World Hapkido Federation (WHF )The World Hapkido General Federation [ 48] [ 49] Hapkido boxing Hapkido Boxing International Organization (HBIO)[ 50] Harness horse racing Harness Horsemen International (HHI )European Trotting Union (UET)Horseback archery International Horseback Archery Alliance (IHAA ) Horse racing International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)Ice cross downhill All Terrain Skate Cross Federation (ATSX)Intercrosse Fédération Internationale d'Inter-Crosse (FIIC )[ 51] Jeu de paume and related ball gamesInternational Ball game Confederation (CIJB)Juggling World Juggling Federation (WJF)Kendo World Kendo Association [citation needed Kho kho International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF)Kickboxing International Kickboxing Federation (IKF)Kin-Ball International Kin-Ball Sport Federation (FIKB/IKBF )Kite sports International Federation of Kitesports Organisations (IFKO )Krav maga International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF )Kung-Do International Kung-Do Federation (IKDF )Lethwei World Lethwei Federation (WLF )Land sailing World Landsailing Organisation (FISLY)Mahjong Mahjong International League (MIL)World Mahjong Organization (WMO)Mallakhamb Mallakhamb Confederation of World (MCW)[ 52] Vishwa Mallakhamb Federation (VMF ) Minifootball World Minifootball Federation (WMF)Mixed martial arts International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF)International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF )Modern Arnis International Modern Arnis Federation (IMAF)Mountain running World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) (associated withWorld Athletics )Mountainboarding International Mountainboard Association (IMA )Muay Thai World Muaythai Council (WMC)Obstacle sports (O-sport)World O-Sport Federation (WOF )Othello World Othello Federation (WOF )Parkour World Freerunning Parkour Federation (WFPF)Pencak Silat International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT)Pickleball International Pickleball Federation (IPF),World Pickleball Federation (WPF),Global Pickleball Federation (GPF),United Pickleball Association of America (UPF-A)Pitch and putt Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA)International Pitch and Putt Association (IPPA)Pogo stick World Pogo Stick Federation (WPSF)[citation needed Puzzle World Puzzle Federation (WPF )Quidditch International Quidditch Association (IQA)Quizzing International Quizzing Association (IQA)Racketlon International Racketlon FederationFIR
Radio-controlled car racingInternational Federation of Model Auto Racing (IFMAR)Real Tennis International Real Tennis Professionals Association (IRTPA )Renju Renju International Federation (RIF)Ringball International Ringball Federation (IRF )Ringette International Ringette Federation (IRF)Rogaining International Rogaining Federation (IRF)Roll Ball International Roll Ball Federation (IRBF )[ 53] Rope skipping World Rope Skipping Confederation (WRSC)[ 54] World Inter-School Rope Skipping Organisation (WIRSO )
International Rope Skipping Organisation (IRSO )World Rope Skipping Federation (WRSF )Roundnet International Roundnet Federation (IRF ) Rubik's Cube World Cube Association (WCA)Scootering International Scooter Federation (ISF )Shooting sport International Shooting Federation of Hunting Sport Weapons FITASC
International Clay Target Shooting Federation (ICTSF )International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA )International Metallic Silhouette Shooting Union (IMSSU)International Precision Rifle Federation (IPRF)Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee (MLAIC)Single Action Shooting Society (SASS)Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA)World Association PPC 1500 (WA1500)Shuttlecock International Shuttlecock Federation (ISF )Silambam International Silambam Committee (ISC )Skateboarding World Skateboarding Federation (WSF ) (separate fromWorld Skate )Skibobbing International Skibob Federation (FISB )Slot car racing International Slot Racing Association (ISRA )Socca International Socca Federation (ISF)Sport stacking World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA)Ssireum World Ssireum Federation (WSF )Stratego International Stratego Federation (ISF )Street and ball hockey International Street and Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF)Sqay International Council of Sqay (ICS )Surf kayak World Surf Kayak Association (WSKA )Table hockey International Table Hockey Federation (ITHF)Tag World Chase Tag Tank biathlon International Federation of Tank Biathlon (Международная федерация танкового биатлона )
Targetball International Targetball Federation (ITF )Tent pegging International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF)Throwball International Throwball Federation (ITF )Touch football Federation of International Touch (FIT)Trail running International Trail Running Association (ITRA) (associated withWorld Athletics )Ukrainian National Wrestling on Belts International Federation on Ukrainian National Wrestling on Belts Ultra running International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) (associated withWorld Athletics )Unicycling International Unicycling Federation (IUF)Va'a International Va'a Federation (IVF ) (associated withInternational Canoe Federation (ICF)[ 55] Valari International Valari Federation (IVF )Volksmarching International Volkssport Federation (IVV )Virtual motorsport Global Virtual Motorsport Association (GVMA)[citation needed Vovinam World Vovinam Federation (WVVF)[ 56] VX (formerlyRock-It-Ball )Global VX (formerlyInternational Rock-It-Ball Federation (IRIBF )[ 57] [ 58] Waveski surfing World Waveski Surfing Association (WWSA ) (associated withInternational Canoe Federation (ICF)))Wheel gymnastics International Wheel Gymnastics Federation (IRV )Wingfoiling Global Wingsports Association (GWA )International Wing Sports Association (IWSA ) (both associated withWorld Sailing [ 59] Xiangqi World Xiangqi Federation (WXF)Yoga Yogasports Confederation of World (YCW)[citation needed International Yoga Sports Federation (IYSF )
Defunct federations [ edit ] Sports governed by national associations [ edit ] Certain sports are currently not governed by international federations, but rather by national associations.
^a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar Also a member ofInternational World Games Association (IWGA). ^a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Also a member ofThe Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA). ^a b c d e f g Also a member ofAssociation of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF). ^ includesaerobatics ,air racing ,ballooning ,gliding ,hang gliding , andparachuting/skydiving ^ includesflag football ^a b c d e f Also an associate member ofAssociation of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). ^ includescarom billiards ,pool , andsnooker ^ Provisional member, pending ratification by ARISF general assembly.[ 11] ^ Also a member ofAlliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS). ^ includesPétanque ,Volo ,Raffa ^ includesnine-pin andten-pin bowling ^ Also an associate member ofWinter Olympic Federations (WOF). ^ Branded as "World Boccia". ^ In cooperation withFIS .[ 22] ^ It is a supporter member of TAFISA.[ 36] ^ "What are the conditions required for a sport to be recognised by the IOC?" .International Olympic Committee . Retrieved11 January 2023 .^ ASOIF Statutes, 10 April 2024 ^a b c d e "Members" .ASOIF . Retrieved1 March 2025 .^ "Organisational Structure" .ASOIF . Retrieved1 March 2025 .^ "IOC - ODF Common Codes" .^ "Winter Olympic Federations (WOF)" .International Olympic Committee . Retrieved6 March 2025 .^ "Expanding the ISMF Family: now 55 National Members!" . International Ski Mountaineering Federation. Retrieved6 March 2025 .^ "International Ski Mountaineering Federation Gains Associate Membership in Winter Olympic Federations" . International Ski Mountaineering Federation. 21 October 2024. Retrieved6 March 2025 .^a b c "ARISF - Members" . arisf.org. Retrieved23 June 2022 .^ "Who We Are" .ARISF . Retrieved10 April 2024 .^ "World Boxing Gains Provisional Membership in ARISF" .ARISF . 13 March 2025. Retrieved14 March 2025 .^ "Stakeholders" .SportAccord . Retrieved12 June 2023 .^ "AIMS – Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sports" . Retrieved29 January 2023 .^ "Full Members – AIMS" . Retrieved8 September 2025 .^ "Associate Members – AIMS" . Retrieved8 September 2025 .^ "GAISF » Observers" .Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved26 October 2022 .^ btcom."GAISF » Members" . Retrieved3 July 2023 . ^ "GAISF demanded not to disrespect associate members after dissolution" .insidethegames.biz . 30 November 2022. Retrieved3 July 2023 .^a b c d "International Sport Federations" .International Paralympic Committee Archived from the original on 23 August 2025. Retrieved23 August 2025 .^ "The IPC to rebrand the 10 sports it acts as International Federation for" (Press release). International Paralympic Committee. 30 November 2016. Retrieved13 December 2016 .^a b "IPC transfers to FIS the governance of three Para snow sports" .International Paralympic Committee . Retrieved28 January 2023 .^a b "IPC transfers governance of Para biathlon to IBU" .International Paralympic Committee . Retrieved28 January 2023 .^ "IPC announces World Para Sports Unit Board members" .International Paralympic Committee . 21 April 2023. Retrieved26 April 2023 .^ PBWF/BWF gets IPC recognition, but Paralympics 2016 unfortunately without Parabadminton Archived 22 March 2012 at theWayback Machine , Parabadminton World Federation (PBWF), 11 December 2010^ "Governance & Organisation" . Archived fromthe original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved13 February 2014 .^ "Wheelchair Fencing – World Abilitysport" .worldabilitysport.org . 13 December 2019. Retrieved30 September 2023 .^ "Powerchair Hockey – World Abilitysport" .worldabilitysport.org . 13 December 2019. Retrieved30 September 2023 .^ "Frame running – World Abilitysport" .worldabilitysport.org . 29 March 2023. Retrieved30 September 2023 .^ "Wheelchair slalom – World Abilitysport" .worldabilitysport.org . 29 March 2023. Retrieved30 September 2023 .^ "Frame football – World Abilitysport" .worldabilitysport.org . 29 March 2023. Retrieved30 September 2023 .^ "Blind Football – Paralympic Athletes, Photos & Events" .International Paralympic Committee . Retrieved29 January 2023 .^ "Para judo – Paralympic Athletes, Photos & Events" .International Paralympic Committee . Retrieved29 January 2023 .^ "Home – VIRTUS" . 25 December 2020. Retrieved28 January 2023 .^ "History – World Abilitysport" .worldabilitysport.org . 21 January 2020. Retrieved3 July 2023 .^ "International Members | TAFISA" .tafisa.org . Retrieved25 April 2023 .^ "Supporter Members | TAFISA" .tafisa.org . Retrieved9 December 2023 .^ "The high-drama sport of boot throwing" .Food . 5 July 2017. Retrieved20 April 2023 .^ Wylie, Lyz (26 March 2019)."Gumboot capital Taihape hosts world throwing championships and pulls record crowds" .The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved20 April 2023 . ^ "Clash of the Colleges – Gumboot Throw Champions – PNBHS July 2021 Newsletter" .Palmerston North Boys' High School . Retrieved20 April 2023 .^ "Federation of Card Games – FCG Introduction" .fcgoffical.com . Retrieved5 May 2023 .^ "Association" . Archived fromthe original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved18 May 2024 .^ "FIFv page on instagram" .^ CBFv and FIFv presentation to the Brazilian Parliament , April 2018.^ Vinogradov, Sergey (24 June 2021)."People around the globe are playing Gorodki" .RUSSKIY MIR FOUNDATION . ^ "Ground Golf" .World Masters Games 2021 Kansai . Retrieved23 April 2023 .^ "World Council Executive - World Handball Council" . Archived fromthe original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved18 May 2024 .^ "Anti-Doping" .World Handball Council . Archived fromthe original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved27 April 2023 .^ "World Hapkido Federation(s)" .MartialTalk.Com 🥋 Friendly Martial Arts Forum Community . Retrieved23 April 2023 .^ "Hapkido Norge – World Hapkido General Federation Norge" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved23 April 2023 .^ "Hapkido Boxing Asia Association" .asiahapkidoboxing.org . Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved23 April 2023 .^ "FIIC" .World Lacrosse . Retrieved15 April 2023 .^ "Mallakhamb Confederation OF World Information – Mallakhamb Confederation OF World Company Profile, Mallakhamb Confederation OF World News on The Economic Times" .The Economic Times . Retrieved24 April 2023 .^ "International Roll Ball Federation" .SportAccord International Federation (IF) Forum 2022 . Retrieved23 April 2023 .^ "World Rope Skipping Confederation - Foundation" . 9 June 2010. Archived fromthe original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved18 May 2024 .^ "Va'a" .ICF - Planet Canoe . 22 January 2021. Retrieved5 November 2023 .^ "Guardian Girls International, World Vovinam Federation, United Nations Population Fund and Embassy of Japan in Viet Nam Launch Global Project to Empower Women and Girls Through Vietnamese Martial Arts and Sport" .vietnam.un.org . Retrieved16 September 2025 .^ "Hall of Fame" .globalvx.org . 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Organization Meetings Honors Related
Pierre Trochet
Riccardo Fraccari
Gennady Golovkin
Jay Shah
Bob DeMarco
Zena Wooldridge
Olle Dahlin
Einars Fogelis
Kim Jae-youl
Johan Eliasch
Regula Meier
