International Mind Sports Association
The International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) was founded on April 19, 2005 during 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 General Association of International Sport Federations (GAISF / AGFIS ) and further realize the inclusion of mind sports in the Olympic movement. In particular, the organization's longterm plans include running World Mind Sports Games by analogy with Olympics, which will be held in Olympic host cities shortly after Winter or Summer Games.
MSA members include 4 international federations:
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World Bridge Federation (WBF)
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World Chess Federation (FIDE)
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World Draughts Federation (FMJD)
- International Go Federation (IGF)
There are 2 association members
- International Poker Federation
- Xianqi (international federation)?
The aim of this Association is to engage in a dialogue with the International Olympic Committee for the organization of the World Mind Games? - Intellympiads? - to be held in the Olympic cities following the Winter or Summer Games at a time to be mutually agreed.
This project would have the advantage of using the infrastructures already put into place for the Olympic Games and re-utilizing the teams of volunteers. The final objective, beyond the factual, is of course to facilitate the admission of the national federations of these mind sports into their respective National Olympic Committees.
The Association intends to work towards the recognition of the quality of teaching these disciplines lavished on young people and which helps them considerably in their curriculum (career path).
The Association will therefore work in liaison with - in addition to the IOC and the GAISF - 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.
The International mind sports Association has organised The first international mind sports games "IMSA Cup?" April 27-29, 2008, Perm, Russia.
And the 1st World Mind Sports Games on October 3 to 18, 2008 in Beijing (China). These Games were organized by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) under the aegis of the General Association of International Sport Federations (GAISF) and with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Website: http://www.imsaworld.com/
willemien (november 2010) It looks like IMSA stoped functioning, (the website looks very dated, the latest news is from 2009) also it looks like it has been succeded by Sport Accord? - Multi-Sports games - World Mind Games? see for announcement
http://www.sportaccord.com/en/multi-sports-games/index.php?idIndex=35&idContent=658
Willemien How will it be in London 2012?
Phelan: So far, the only thing I have seen covering that question is Yuki Shigeno's
Ranka interview, and she doesn't give a definite answer, which is understandable at this point. Also, wouldn't this question fit better at WMSG, or WMSG2012??
isd: The latest rumour I heard was that it could be anywhere at all, but that in Nov 2011, at a Poker Competition in London, the actual venue would be announced. I have London was ruled out, Manchester was suggested too, but it was seemingly ruled out. I then heard Cardiff mentioned. By the way, the IMSA website has been updated.