STATUTES

OF
ISSA – International Special Sports Association

Table of Contents
1. Name, Legal Status and Registered Office
2. Objectives and Activities
3. Compliance with International and European Sports Frameworks
4. Membership
5. Rights and Obligations of Members
6. Governance Structure
7. General Assembly
8. Executive Board
9. Technical and Sports Committees
10. Ethics, Disciplinary and Anti-Doping Committee
11. Internal Dispute Resolution Committee
12. Sports Regulations
13. Financial Transparency and Auditing
14. Dispute Resolution and Jurisdiction (CAS)
15. Compliance with International Sports Organisations
16. Amendment and Adoption of the Statutes
17. Dissolution
18. Final Provisions
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Chapter 1 – Name, Legal Status and Registered Office

Article 1 – Name
The legal name of the Association is:
ISSA – International Special Sports Association
(hereinafter referred to as “ISSA”).

Article 2 – Legal Status
ISSA is a non-profit international association (Ideell förening) established in accordance with applicable law and operating on a non-profit basis.

Article 3 – Registration
ISSA is officially registered under registration number 802530-7631, with the date of registration 29 May 2020.

Article 4 – Registered Office
The registered office of ISSA shall be located in Stockholm, Sweden, at the following official address:
142 31 Skogås, Stockholm, Sweden



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Chapter 2 – Objectives and Activities

Article 5 – Objectives
ISSA pursues exclusively non-profit objectives and aims to:

1. Promote, regulate and develop special sports at an international level;
2. Support fair play, integrity, transparency and ethical governance in sport;
3. Organise, sanction or supervise international competitions and sporting events;
4. Strengthen international cooperation among member countries and organisations.
Article 6 – Activities
ISSA may undertake all lawful activities necessary to achieve its objectives in accordance with these Statutes.



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Chapter 3 – Compliance with International and European Sports Frameworks

Article 7 – Legal and Institutional Compliance
ISSA operates in compliance with:
European Union law;
European sports conventions and instruments;
International standards of sports governance.
Article 8 – Recognition of International Sports Principles
ISSA adheres to the principles of sports autonomy, democratic governance, transparency, accountability and good governance.



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Chapter 4 – Membership

Article 9 – Eligibility
Membership of ISSA is open to all countries and national sports organisations that accept and comply with these Statutes and ISSA regulations.

Article 10 – National Representation
Each country may be represented by only one official member organisation.

Article 11 – Voting Rights
Each member country shall have one (1) equal vote in the General Assembly.

Article 12 – Admission, Suspension and Withdrawal
Procedures for admission, suspension or withdrawal of members shall be conducted in accordance with principles commonly applied in international sports organisations and with due process.



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Chapter 5 – Rights and Obligations of Members

Article 13 – Rights of Members
Members shall have the right to:
Participate in ISSA activities;
Attend, speak and vote in the General Assembly;
Submit proposals and nominate candidates.

Article 14 – Obligations of Members
Members shall:
Comply with these Statutes and ISSA regulations;
Implement decisions adopted by ISSA governing bodies;
Uphold ethical and sporting principles.



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Chapter 6 – Governance Structure

Article 15 – Governing Bodies
The governing bodies of ISSA are:
1. The General Assembly
2. The Executive Board
3. Technical and Sports Committees
4. The Ethics, Disciplinary and Anti-Doping Committee
5. The Internal Dispute Resolution Committee



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Chapter 7 – General Assembly

Article 16 – Status
The General Assembly is the supreme governing and decision-making body of ISSA.
Article 17 – Powers
The General Assembly shall:
Approve budgets and financial reports;
Elect the members of the Executive Board;
Amend the Statutes;
Define ISSA’s strategic policies;
Decide on major institutional matters.



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Chapter 8 – Executive Board

Article 18 – Composition
The Executive Board shall be elected by the General Assembly.
Article 19 – Duties and Powers
The Executive Board is responsible for:
Day-to-day administration;
Strategic management of ISSA;
Supervision of committees;
Implementation of General Assembly decisions.

Chapter 9 – Technical and Sports Committees

Article 20 – Establishment
ISSA shall establish Technical and Sports Committees as required.
Article 21 – Responsibilities
These Committees shall:
Determine sports governed and supported by ISSA;
Draft and enforce technical regulations;
Organise or supervise events and competitions;
Ensure compliance with internationally recognised standards of each sport.

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Chapter 10 – Ethics, Disciplinary and Anti-Doping Committee

Article 22 – Independence
An independent Ethics, Disciplinary and Anti-Doping Committee shall be established.

Article 23 – Anti-Doping
ISSA fully adheres to the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA) and related international standards.

Article 24 – Jurisdiction
The Committee shall rule on ethical violations, disciplinary matters and anti-doping cases.

Chapter 11 – Internal Dispute Resolution Committee

Article 25 – Internal Jurisdiction
All disputes involving member countries, members or ISSA bodies shall first be submitted to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committee.



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Chapter 12 – Sports Regulations

Article 26 – Recognised Sports
Sports governed by ISSA shall be defined by decisions of the General Assembly or Executive Board.
Article 27 – Applicable Rules
Each sport shall be governed in accordance with internationally recognised rules and standards of the respective discipline.

Chapter 13 – Financial Transparency and Auditing

Article 28 – Financial Resources
ISSA’s resources shall include:
Membership fees;
Sponsorship and commercial partnerships;
Grants and donations;
Sports and development projects.
Article 29 – Financial Reporting
Annual financial reports shall be prepared and made available.
Article 30 – Auditing
ISSA accounts shall be audited annually by an independent auditor.

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Chapter 14 – Dispute Resolution and Jurisdiction (CAS)

Article 31 – Arbitration Clause
Any dispute of a sporting, disciplinary or administrative nature arising within ISSA which cannot be resolved internally shall be finally and exclusively submitted to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Lausanne, Switzerland, in accordance with the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration.
CAS decisions shall be final and binding upon all parties.



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Chapter 15 – Compliance with International Sports Organisations

Article 32 – Reference Sports Organisations
ISSA recognises and commits to aligning its policies, regulations and governance practices with the principles and standards established by the following international sports organisations:
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)
Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF)
Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF)

Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS)

These organisations are recognised as reference authorities for technical, ethical, disciplinary and governance standards in international sport.



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Chapter 16 – Amendment and Adoption of the Statutes

Article 33 – Adoption and Amendments
These Statutes were adopted by the General Assembly of the International Special Sports Association (ISSA) on 19 February 2020.
Any amendment, modification or addition shall be valid only if approved by the General Assembly.

Chapter 17 – Dissolution

Article 34 – Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of ISSA, its assets shall be transferred to a non-profit sports organisation pursuing similar objectives.

Chapter 18 – Final Provisions

Article 35 – Entry into Force
These Statutes shall enter into force as of the date of their adoption.



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