Building the Future of Grassroots Sport: Highlights from the 2025 ENGSO General Assembly

During his opening speech, ENGSO President Stefan Bergh emphasised the vital role of grassroots sport and local sport clubs in building stronger, more cohesive communities: “Sport clubs are the heartbeat of the European sport model, they empower individuals, foster health and well-being, and build resilient communities. As the foundation for future athletes, they also serve as the social glue that binds our continent together through shared values and a common passion for sport.”

Key highlights of 2025 assembly: 

🔹 Filipa Godinho (Portuguese Sports Confederation) was re-elected as ENGSO Vice President, beginning her second term in this role. Magnus Svedrup (Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports) was also re-elected, continuing into his second term as Treasurer.

A new member of the board, Stanislav Horuna (Sports Committee of Ukraine), was elected and will serve his first term on the ENGSO Executive Committee.

🔹The Liechtenstein Olympic Committee became the newest ENGSO member organisation, bringing the total number of ENGSO members to 39. In his address, Manfred Entner, Secretary General of the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee, emphasised the NOC’s commitment to supporting national federations and clubs, and the work being undertaken to promote grassroots sport in Liechtenstein.

🔹 ENGSO members were also invited to contribute to the revision of the ENGSO Policy Programme, sharing their perspectives on future priorities and development.

🔹The Members’ Seminar focused on key topics including youth dropout from sport, youth involvement in decision-making, financial barriers to participation, the intersection of eSports and grassroots sport, and the critical role of volunteering.

🔹 The 2026 ENGSO General Assembly will be hosted by the Hungarian Competitive Sport Federation in Budapest, Hungary.

🔹 Special thanks were extended to Mr Adam Roczek, President of EUSA – European University Sports Association, for his long-standing partnership with ENGSO. Additionally, Zdenko Križ (Slovak Olympic Committee) and Ugnė Chmeliauskaitė were recognised for their longstanding commitment and dedication to ENGSO. Ugnė was also presented with a special award in recognition of her contribution.

🔹 Finally, Magnus Svedrup and the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) received a special note of appreciation for organising an engaging event and for the warm hospitality extended to participants in Oslo.