IFKO

ALL ABOUT US

IF DEFINITION

The denomination and social object of a democratic non for profit private sport association defines a Sport.

The International Sports Federations (IFs) are responsible for the integrity of their sport on the international level.

The National Sports Federations are responsible for the registration and denomination of a sport in each country. 

The International Sports Federations are international non-governmental practitioner associations administering sports at world level and may have its role recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The national federations administering that specif sport with same national social object (autorities in that country) are affiliated to them.
While conserving their independence and autonomy in the administration of their sports, International Sports Federations seeking IOC recognition must ensure that their statutes, practice and activities conform with the Olympic Charter.

MISSION

The IFs have the responsibility and duty to manage and to monitor the everyday running of the world's various sports disciplines, including for those on the program, the practical organisation of events including world championships.

The IFs must also supervise the development of athletes practicing these sports at every level.
Each IF governs its sport at world level and ensures its promotion and development. They monitor the everyday administration of their sports and guarantee the regular organisation of competitions as well as respect for the rules of fair play.

Objectives of IFKO

Objectives of IFKO

  • To act as and carry out the functions and duties of such authority;
  • To develop and to promote the practice of Kitesports throughout the world for all categories of the population regardless of race, religion, gender, physical ability or political affiliation;
  • To establish, supervise, interpret and amend the rules regulating the practice of Kitesports, to adjudicate disputes and take any appropriate disciplinary action;
  • To act as the supervising organisation for the sport of Kitesports, to grant and withdraw IFKO status to or from disciplines of Kitesports and to prescribe the relevant rules and measurement procedures;
  • To promote cordial and friendly relations between its Members, to uphold proper operating procedures of the National Member Organisations and Unions to lead and organise Kitesports activities throughout the world;
  • To protect the interests of Kitesports throughout the world;
  • To coordinate, protect and represent the common interests of any Member of the IFKO;
  • To promote closer links among its Members, and between its Members and any others Kitesports organisations;
  • To collaborate with organisations having as their objective the promotion of Kiteboard on a world-wide basis;
  • To assist it’s Full Members in strengthening their position as national leaders in Kiteboard.
  • To develop specific services for its Members or non-members, collective or individual interested or associated with Kitesports, and provide them with any assistance, training and support;
  • To organise IFKO events, to supervise events organized by its Members and to participate in the organisation of Competition events;
  • To establish rules, control, organise, conduct, license or sanction Kitesports international competitions, world championships, events or activities, organised or recognized by the IFKO;
  • To improve the quality of Kitesports training;
  • To supervise the awarding of titles and their compliance with IFKO rules;
  • To form Continental Unions;
  • To encourage the formation of associations and federations as a form of Kitesports development;
  • To promote the ideals, principles and objectives behind the Olympic Movement;
  • To be a modern, flexible, transparent and accountable organisation.
  • To be a member of SportAccord, obtain recognition of the International Olympic Committee, to be a member of ARISF, comply with and enforce the Anti-doping WADA World Anti-Dopping Agency Code and comply with and enforce with the deliberate CAS-Court of Arbitration for Sport.
discip2

KITESPORTS IS A WINDSPORT

Involves the wind-power caught by a kite/wing remotly attached by lines or directly with handles to the kiter/rider/winger. Using (or not) a harness to controlling the wing with the hands by a command that can be a control bar with the aim of achieving the tractive movement.
The bar (the command) controls the strength of the kite, the velocity and the direction of the flying wing movement.
The tractive movement can be achieved on the water surface (Kitesurf), snow (Snowkite) or land (Landkite) depending on the kind of board/feet equipment. .

PHYSICAL AND COORDINATION SPORT

With the same kite/wing, bar and harness all disciplines of Kitesports can be practiced. The wind force is borne by the weight of the body and not by the hands, that are free just to control the direction and velocity of the movement with the bar. KITESPORTS is a physical sport: all body moves and the rider needs great coordination between hands, arms, feet, legs and abdomen.
It´s almost impossible and not wise to learn alone and it takes time to get the muscular memory to ride a kite and get the coordination.
The first stage of learning Kitesports always starts with how to control the kite and the 1st lesson is how to pull the security system instinctively on the bar. Only after this phase will be possible the learning of the coordination with the feet equipment.

IFKO has the aim of promoting the ideals, principles and objectives behind the Olympic Movement.

1Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the ducational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

2The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.

3The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organized, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world’s athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.

4The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

5Recognising that sport occurs within the framework of society, sports organisations within the Olympic Movement shall have the rights and obligations of autonomy, which include freely establishing and controlling the rules of sport, determining the structure and governance of their organisations, enjoying the right of elections free from any outside influence and the responsibility for ensuring that principles of good governance be applied.

6The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Olympic Charter shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

7Recognising that sport occurs within the framework of society, sports organisations within the Olympic Movement shall have the rights and obligations of autonomy, which include freely establishing and controlling the rules of sport, determining the structure and governance of their organisations, enjoying the right of elections free from any outside influence and the responsibility for ensuring that principles of good governance be applied.
None of Kitesports disciplines coordinated and controlled by IFKO will have the designation "Ika-formulakite",  that was the only one officially registered in the World, until IFKO registration.

IFKO

  • Address: Praceta de S.Brás Nº30
    Areia do Guincho
    2750-058 Cascais, Portugal
  • Phone of the Headquarters:
    +351 932952302 - Cell