On October 26 the 22nd European Conference of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) involving military representatives from 27 European countries was opened in Druskininkai. At the three-day conference military delegates will discuss issues relevant to the CISM, possible perspectives of development and will agree on the CISM sports events to be held in Europe and separate European regions the following year.
The opening ceremony of the conference was attended by Chief of the Joint Headquarters of Lithuania Brigadier General Vilmantas Tamošaitis, President CISM Europe Colonel Mesut Cerit (TUR), representatives of the municipality of Druskininkai City, and other guests.
"Currently the International Military Sports Council plays an influential role in the international environment by seeking global stability and security and connecting national militaries and sports", stated Brig Gen V. Tamošaitis while greeting the conference attendees in the opening ceremony. It is the second CISM conference held in Lithuania, the first one took place in Vilnius in 2002.
Lithuania joined the International Military Sports Council in 1993 and handball, orienteering, wrestling, modern pentathlon and basketball championships for the world's military have been held throughout the country, in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Alytus and Elektrėnai, since 2002.
The International Military Sports Council (CISM), established on 18 February 1948, is one of the largest sports organisations in the world. France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Luxembourg established the International Military Sports Council (Conseil International du Sport Militaire, CISM) in 1948 at a fencing event in Nice to celebrate "Friendship through Sport" as the CISM motto emphasizes. The CISM links military forces of 131 counties through organisation of a variety of sports events. Troops who used to see each other only in battle field now compete in friendly sports events. The CISM activity is developed to realise the concept and ideals defined in the CISM mission statement approved by all the CISM member states in 1998. Currently, the International Military Sports Council unites 131 countries in all the continents of the world.
POC - Capt Dainius Morkūnas, Deputy Head of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Sports Club, office phone no. 00370-618 12233, email: dainius.morkunas@mil.lt
Photo by Alfredas Pliadis
