The World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) unveiled a strategic plan at ISPO Munich 2023. The aim is to take on the historically high rate of physical inactivity.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than 80 percent of adolescents and 28 percent of adults fail to meet its recommended levels of physical activity, with insufficient physical activity the fourth leading risk factor for death. WHO has calculated that if there is no action to reduce current inactivity levels, there will be 500 million additional cases of ill health caused by inactivity at a cost of $300 billion (€275 bn) to global health care systems by 2030.
Under the new plan, the WFSGI will work together with WHO to develop programs and policies promoting physical activity, using its collective platform to build partnerships and solutions to address pressing issues affecting people’s lives. The partnership reinforces private sector support in increasing physical activity and community sport participation, with the aim of improving global health.
Zwiebler: “The risk of inaction is too high”
Speaking about the plan, Emma Zwiebler, WFSGI Interim CEO, said: “The risk of inaction is too high. We are reaching tipping points on many global issues – especially in terms of climate and health – and the sporting goods industry is committed to playing a role in finding solutions.”
Zwiebler added: “We are convinced that the partnership with the WHO can demonstrate that private sector collaborations can drive meaningful change for society and business.
“To ensure our industry is on track and behind a common agenda, we’re setting out a bold new 3-year vision that calls for greater public-private and cross industry collaboration to take on the toughest challenges.”
WFSGI wants to speed uptake of GAPPA
The key priorities of the new WFSGI strategic plan will work towards implementation of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA), which is currently ‘slow and uneven.’ These include:
- enabling sustainable business,
- influencing activity (from playground to podium),
- facilitating and promoting free and fair trade
- supporting transition in a changing world.
2024 will see implementation phase
The strategy comes at a time when four new board members have joined the WFSGI. From the Americas region Mehri Shadman, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Under Armour; and three Executive Committee members: Celine del Genes, Global Chief Customer Officer, Decathlon; Michael Hauge Sorensen, Group COO, Amer Sports Corporation; and Param Singh, founder, owner and CEO, Arklyz AG.
According to Andy Rubin, Deputy Chair Pentland Group, and Chair of the Board of the WFSGI: “We already have several significant achievements behind us in 2023 but we now move into the critical implementation phase of the Plan in 2024. We look forward to reporting next year on how we have united and supported the industry to ensure a healthier, more active planet for all.”
