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.
The original IMSA members included 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)
In 2014, a fifth members was added:
- World Xiangqi Federation? (WXF)
There is currently one observer:
- International Federation of Poker (IFP)
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/