Several changes were made to the ISSF Constitution at the ISSF General Assembly in Rome, Italy.
One of these was approval of the formation of the E-Sports, E-Games and Technological Innovations Committee, focused on growing shooting sport’s popularity virtually, was approved and is to be made up of five members.
Its responsibilities include studying and reviewing state-of-the-art technological and innovative developments, including esports related to shooting sport; proposing and advising changes to be implemented in the ISSF Rulebook related to those developments, supporting esports integration into ISSF events and promoting the development of esports in shooting sport.
The Sustainability Committee has now been written into the Constitution too, ensuring all ISSF Committees are now constitutionally bound. This body already existed, but is now officially part of the Constitution. Their responsibilities include creating and developing sustainability strategy, guidelines and policy for shooting ranges hosting ISSF events, advising ISSF bodies on matters related to the environment and nature conservation in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and advising ISSF competition organisers how to improve their sustainability.
There has been a replacement of the Ethics Committee with the Integrity, Ethics and Safeguarding Unit to highlight the increased responsibilities of the Unit on all matters regarding integrity and safeguarding and not just ethics. It will operate neutrally and independently to investigate and prosecute all forms of ethical, integrity and safeguarding violations. With the formation of the Integrity, Ethics and Safeguarding Unit, the Athletes’ Committee is now constitutionally mandated to work with the body to promote health, safety and wellbeing of athletes.
Improved wording was agreed upon that clarified the General Assembly’s authority to discharge the President and the Executive Committee of liability for their acts in fulfilling their roles as ISSF bodies, stressing that despite the President being part of the Executive Committee, it was important to detail them separately as the President is also head of the ISSF.
Wording was added to clarify that the Executive Committee can appoint and dismiss the Secretary General too, who also hold the discharge of liability over the Secretary General. A new article was added to stress the competence of the President to propose to the Executive Committee, the appointment and dismissal of the Secretary General.
Registration certificates from the Member Federation’s home country is now required for ISSF membership to bring the standard of governance in line with international standards.
The digitisation of data and gender-neutral language have been integrated greatly into the Constitution. Several editorial changes were made too, clarifying articles with improved language throughout. Executive Committee and ISSF Council meetings can now also be held online rather than in-person, if needed.
The additional member of the Executive Committee that represents the host nation of the next Summer Olympic Games will be proposed by the Member Federation and their term will last the Olympic cycle until the Closing Ceremony of their affiliated Games.
Article 12.5.2, related to the competency of the chairpersons and members of the Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Running Target, Target Sprint and now the E-Sports, E-Games & Technology Innovations Committees, has been amended to allow those without judges’ licenses to hold positions on their respective Committees – on the basis that they are able to provide evidence of the necessary knowledge and experiences of their respective disciplines. However, it has been clarified that all members of the Judges Committee must be holders of a current judges licence.
Finally, the Statutes and Eligibility Committee are now responsible for revisions not only to the Constitution, but other ISSF Rules and Regulations.
The approved Constitutional changes will undergo the registration process in Germany under German law and the approved Constitution will be officially published on the website once it is legally registered with the Association Registry.