International Mind Sports Association

The International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) was founded on April 19, 2005 during the GAISF General Assembly.

The goal of IMSA was to gather different mind sports federations to pursue common aims and interests, to organize the World Mind Sports Games under the aegis of the SportAccord? and to further realize the inclusion of mind sports in the Olympic movement. In particular, the organization's long-term plans include running World Mind Sports Games by analogy with Olympics, to be held in parallel to the Winter or Summer Games.

Members

Organisation	Year Joined
World Bridge Federation (WBF)	2005
World Chess Federation (FIDE)	2005
World Draughts Federation (FMJD)	2005
International Go Federation (IGF)	2005
World Xiangqi Federation (WXF)	2015
Mahjong International League (MIL)	2017
Federation of Card Games (FCG)	2018

The application of the International Federation of Poker (IFP) was refused.

For its primary aim, IMSA has successfully organized the first and second World Mind Sports Games (WMSG) held in Beijing, China (2008) and in Lille, France (2012); the first four invitational SportAccord World Mind Games from 2011 through 2014 held in Beijing, China; the inclusion of Go, Chess, and Xiangqi in the 2010 Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China; and the inclusion of Go in the 2013 Asian Indoors Games? held in Incheon, Korea.

The Association further aims to work towards the recognition of the quality of teaching these disciplines lavished on young people and which significantly helps them in their curriculum (career path).

The Association will therefore work in liaison with - in addition to the IOC and the SportAccord? - UNESCO and the UN, as it is convinced of its capacity to improve the level of education in the world and to participate in a more peaceful entente through the practice of these sports.

Website: http://www.imsaworld.com/ Interview with Thomas Hsiang: http://www.sportsdestinations.com/sports/multi-sport-games/inside-events-international-mind-sports-associatio-13279

Presidents

• José Damiani ( 2005 - 2013 ) now a Founding President
• Kirsan Ilyumzhinov ( 2013 - 2017 ) In December 2015 he became the subject of sanctions imposed by OFAC and stepped down.
• Zelan Chen (2017 - )