The European Olympic Academies were pleased to attend the 32nd General Assembly of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), held on July 20, 2025 ,at the German Sport University Cologne. The EOA was represented by Board Member and Treasurer Dr Bernhard Hilgers.
ICSSPE has been a long-standing and valued partner of the EOA. Both organisations share a strong commitment to values-based sport, Olympic education, and the promotion of inclusive, safe and sustainable sport systems in Europe and worldwide. The General Assembly provided an important occasion to reflect on past achievements, set future priorities and reaffirm this vital collaboration. Nearly 50 delegates from across the globe, including representatives from China, Brazil, India, Australia, Kenya, Japan, Azerbaijan, and the USA, participated either in person or online. A key outcome was the full election of a new Executive Board and Development Committee for the upcoming term, setting a fresh course for ICSSPE’s strategic direction.
The Assembly also paid tribute to outgoing ICSSPE President Uri Schaefer, whose leadership from 2014 to 2025 significantly shaped the organisation’s international standing. The EOA is grateful for his many years of dedication and inspiring contributions to sport and education. His moving keynote speech as guest of honour at the EOA Congress 2024 in Olympia remains a lasting memory, and he will always be warmly welcomed at future EOA events.
The EOA extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Dr. Annette Hofmann on her election as the new ICSSPE President. A renowned scholar and advocate for physical education and inclusion, Prof Hofmann also serves as Vice President of the German Olympic Academy (DOA), a vivid member of the EOA. Her commitment to global cooperation, school sport and equal access to physical activity aligns closely with the EOA’s mission and activities. We are confident that under her leadership, the partnership between ICSSPE and the EOA will continue to thrive.
The Assembly concluded with the election of an impressive international leadership team. In addition to the new President, the new ICSSPE Executive Board includes Vice-Presidents Prof. Dr. Rares Stanescu (Romania) and Prof. Maria Beatriz Ferreira (Brazil), andExecutive Board Members Prof. Dr. Karen Petry (Germany), Dr. Claire Boursier (France), Dr. Kishore Gopinathan (India), Dr. Ruth Crabtree (UK), Prof. Angela Schneider (Canada), and Ms Fan Yinghua (China). The Development Committee consists of Prof Keiko Ikeda and Prof Dr Koyo Fukasawa (Japan), Dr Kwok Ng (Finland), Prof Mickey Scheinowitz (Israel), Mrs Usha Nair (India), Prof Vincent Onywera (Kenya), Ms Jackie Lauff (Australia), Ms Jennifer Wong (UK), and Prof Mauricio de Arruda Campos (Brazil).
The EOA looks forward to continued collaboration with this newly elected team on topics central to both organisations
ICSSPE President Prof Dr Annette Hofmann (third from right) with members of the newly elected Executive Board. © ICSSPE 
ICSSPE President Prof Dr Annette Hofmann (second from right) with parts of the Development Committee. © ICSSPE 
View of the plenary session at the 32nd ICSSPE General Assembly, with outgoing President Dr Uri Schaefer pictured in the front. © ICSSPE
