Panathlon International

On October 21, 2025, the EPAS 2025 Diversity Conference took place — the annual event of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) of the Council of Europe, dedicated to exploring how sport can promote dialogue and cooperation between young and older generations.

Experts and representatives of European sports institutions discussed inclusion, solidarity, and intergenerational collaboration, with panels focusing on youth engagement, active aging, and sport as a bridge between generations.

During the break, there was also a “walking football” demonstration organized by the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace and the Alsace Football District.

Several best practice projects were presented, and among the speakers and moderators were high-level athletes and former athletes.

Representing Panathlon International, Debora Quercioli and Alexandros Brousiakis participated online.

Saturday, 18 October 2025

The proceedings held in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, have come to an end after two days of intense work and high-level speeches addressing an important issue that is very close to the heart of Panathlon International: the protection of children's rights in sport.

The Congress was opened by the President of the Club Delicias, Armida Guadalupe Sonia Meraz, and the President of the District Mexico, Coco Samaniego.

After speeches by International President Giorgio Chinellato, who presented the activities and projects of PI, and Secretary General Simona Callo, who illustrated the activities of the General Secretariat, there were numerous speakers and District Presidents from almost all the South American and American Districts and Clubs: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay. They presented their reports and the projects they are carrying out in their territories with great interest and involvement from those present.

The participants also followed with interest the reports presented by the President of CREC, Antonio Bramante, and the President of the Belgian District, Paul Standaert.

Also present were the Vice President of PI Luigi Innocenzi, Past President Pierre Zappelli, International Board Member Carlos De Leon, together with Francesco Silvi, Board Member of the Italian District, and Jean Pierre Largo of the Panathlon Club Fribourg.

The proceedings concluded with a big thank you to the Club Delicias, the President of the District Mexico, Coco Samaniego, and all those who worked and participated in the realisation of this event and welcomed the participants with great Panathletic spirit and friendship.

The reading of the FINAL RESOLUTION concluded the 16th Pan American Congress, setting the date for the next Pan American Congress to be held in Chile in 2027.

Congress Programme

Declaration of the 16th Pan American Congress Chihuahua Mexico 2025

Mercredi 8 octobre, la Ville de Bruxelles a clôturé l’étape des 1000 km du Fair-Play en étant officiellement labellisée “Ville Fair-Play”, une première en Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.

Le départ de l’étape a été donné sur la Place Émile Bockstael à Laeken, en présence de coureurs du club de l’Excelsior et d’un groupe d’élèves de l’école de Bockstael venus encourager les participants.

Les coureurs de l’Excelsior ont ensuite poursuivi le relais en direction de Tour & Taxis, avant de rejoindre la Grand-Place.

Sur place, une personnalité sportive a pris part à l’événement : Mohamed El Marcouchi, boxeur professionnel, venu soutenir cette initiative placée sous le signe du respect et de la solidarité.

Une inauguration officielle au Complexe sportif Cynthia Bolingo L’arrivée finale et la cérémonie d’inauguration de la plaque “Ville Fair-Play” ont eu lieu au Complexe sportif Cynthia Bolingo, en présence de Florence Frelinx, Échevine des Sports de la Ville de Bruxelles, et de Kolë Gjeloshaj, Président du Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles.

Communiqué de presse

Once again this year, Panathlon International took part in the CSIT Congress – International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation, renewing the collaboration that has linked the two organisations for years in promoting the ethical and cultural values of sport.

The President of Panathlon International, Giorgio Chinellato, and Past President Pierre Zappelli were unable to attend the award ceremony as they were busy in Mexico, where the Pan American Congress of Panathlon International was taking place at the same time.

Claudio Muccioli, President of Panathlon Club San Marino, officially represented the Association and presented the Panathlon CSIT WSG 2025 Award, accompanied by Past President Leo Achilli.

The award, established in collaboration between CSIT and Panathlon International, is intended for those persons who, through their commitment and example, have contributed to spreading the sporting ideal, promoting fairness, respect and solidarity through sport.

For the 2025 edition, the award was presented to Elisabeth Speiser, President of the ICSBF – International Catch'n Serve Ball Sports Federation, a leading figure in the international sports scene. Under her leadership, the ICSBF has developed and promoted an innovative and inclusive discipline, Catch'n Serve Ball, which encourages the participation of athletes of all ages and abilities, focusing on fair play, socialising and cooperation among participants.

Through her tireless work, Elisabeth Speiser has fully embodied the principles shared by Panathlon International and CSIT: sport as a tool for education, friendship and social progress.

In previous years, the Panathlon CSIT WSG Award has been presented to prominent figures such as Prof. Kalevi Olin, Honorary President of CSIT, and Avi Sagi, both of whom were honoured at the closing ceremonies by representatives of Panathlon International, led at the time by Past President Pierre Zappelli.

With this new edition, Panathlon International renews its commitment alongside CSIT to support and celebrate those who, through sport, promote the universal values of humanity, integrity and inclusion.

On Sunday, 26 October, starting at 2 p.m., Panathlon International will be present at RelazionExpo to talk about how sport can be a real tool for growth, inclusion and social responsibility.

The meeting will be an opportunity to share ideas, experiences and concrete projects through the voices of our journalist members and experts, as well as partners involved in the fields of sport, culture and sustainability.

It will be a moment of dialogue and discussion to reflect on the values that make sport a true school of life: capable of uniting people and communities, inspiring respect, passion and commitment to the common good.

FREE ENTRY

Registration required at: https://www.relazionexpo.com/ 

RelazionExpo2015_Depliant_PI

15-19 October 2025 - The 16th Pan American Congress of Panathlon International has begun in Chihuahua, Mexico, with the central theme ‘La Importancia del Deporte en la Niñez’ (The Importance of Sport in Childhood).

The Congress was opened by the President of the Mexico District, Socorro Samaniego, and the President of the Delicias Club, Armida Guadalupe Sonia Meraz.

During the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of Pi, Simona Callo, presented the report on the work of the Secretariat, followed by the report of the International President, Giorgio Chinellato, on the activities of Panathlon International.

Acuerdo de colaboración entre Panathlon Distrito Argentina y la Comisión Cultural de la Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA)

Una gran oportunidad para marcar la diferencia, transmitiendo los valores panatleticos a un deporte tan importante como el fútbol, del que conocemos la importancia para muchos jóvenes y adultos en Argentina.

En la foto: el presidente de la AFA, Walter Zalcman; Jorge Minuto, presidente del Distrito, y Eva Szabo, presidenta del Panathlon Club Buenos Aires, mientras firman el acuerdo.

El Concurso de Creación Literaria Inspirada en Valores Deportivos es una iniciativa educativa y cultural que busca sensibilizar a los  participantes y a la comunidad en general sobre la importancia de la práctica de valores deportivos a través de la escritura creativa. Invitamos a todos los colegios a participar y a motivar a sus estudiantes a convertirse en escritores de historias que reflejen el compromiso y la pasión por el juego limpio (fair play).

Juntos, a través de la literatura, podemos inspirar un cambio positivo y duradero en nuestra sociedad.

During the webinar “The Importance of Referees in Sport”, organized on October 9 by the Culture, Research and Education Commission of Panathlon International, chaired by Antonio Bramante, a clear message emerged: referees are not only guardians of the rules, but also custodians of sporting ethics and role models of integrity.

Gwenda Stevens, President of the International Federation for Sports Officials (IFSO), presented the objectives of the Federation, while Professor Paul Wylleman highlighted the psychological and social challenges faced by sport officials — performance pressure, verbal abuse, isolation, and job insecurity. Addressing these issues requires specific mental skills – from stress management to self-confidence – and a holistic support approach that includes physical, psychological, social, and professional dimensions.

From the contribute of Belgium District President Paul Standaert and the introductory message by Panathlon International President Giorgio Chinellato, it emerged that Panathlon International promotes a culture of respect based on education, awareness, and recognition. Its initiatives aim to raise awareness among coaches, parents, and players, to introduce codes of conduct, and to enhance the value of referees through campaigns and training programs.

The final message is powerful:

Respect for referees is the foundation of fair play.

Only through education, empathy, and support can we ensure that those who uphold the rules are themselves respected.

The 10th anniversary of the European Week of Sport (EWOS) was launched in style on 23–24 September 2025 in Copenhagen, gathering leaders, athletes, NGOs, and grassroots organizations under the banner of #BeActive.

A symbolic opening

The celebrations began at GAME Streetmekka Copenhagen, a venue renowned for its focus on youth and urban sports. Denmark’s King Frederik X, European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, and Minister for Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt jointly opened the Week. They were joined by hundreds of participants, marking ten years of EWOS with sport workshops including a “10 shots” basketball challenge and a vibrant energizer led by GAME volunteers.

Commissioner Micallef underlined the journey of EWOS from its launch in 2015 to today’s reach of over 100 million people in 42 countries, urging Europeans to “scroll less and move more.” The opening also welcomed new EWOS partners, including the European Fair Play Movement, highlighting the growing relevance of ethics and integrity — themes at the core of Panathlon International.

From movement to wellbeing

The following day the European Week of Sport’s 10th-anniversary celebrations continued with a high-level conference at the Royal Danish Playhouse. The focus: how sport and physical activity can address some of Europe’s most pressing societal challenges.

Following words of welcome by Denmark’s Minister for Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt and Georg Haeusler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the European Commission, the conference explored the theme of physical literacy as a social innovation tool. Speakers stressed the importance of equipping citizens — especially youth — with lifelong movement skills, to combat sedentary behavior and support healthier lifestyles.

Tom Englén (Change the Game) framed physical literacy as a lifelong skill for active citizenship, while the Danish Gymnastics sports organization experts presented practical approaches in schools and communities. Professor Stuart Biddle addressed the risks of sedentary lifestyles and screen use, stressing the urgency of systemic action. Digital innovation was showcased by Jakub Kalinowski (V4Sport) through the Active Sister Schools initiative.

The afternoon panel spotlighted projects tackling mental wellbeing through sport:

Mind Body Boost (Trinity College Dublin), Icehearts Europe and The Starting Bloc (Danish NOC & Sports Confederation), each demonstrated sport’s transformative role for respectively vulnerable groups, social inclusion and resilience.

Panathlon’s perspective

For Panathlon International, the anniversary and conference reaffirmed the growing need to link ethics, safeguarding, health and wellbeing within EU policies. The alignment with EWOS 2025 themes — inclusion, digital health, and mental resilience — provides an opportunity to reinforce Panathlon’s advocacy for fair play, integrity, and safe sport environments.

As Europe marks ten years of #BeActive, the message from Copenhagen was clear: sport is more than physical activity — it is a civic responsibility, a driver of solidarity and a pathway to healthier, more inclusive societies.

Sander Renson,

Secretary of the Panathlon Club of Vlaanderen (B)