Bolling welcomes reps from 20 countries Published March 22, 2010 By 11th Wing Public Affairs BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- Representatives from 20 countries will hold discussions March 29-31 on Bolling Air Force Base for the Conseil International du Sport Militaire board of directors meeting. CISM was founded Feb. 18, 1948 with Belgium, Denmark, France and Luxembourg and the Netherlands representatives signing the original charter. "The motto is friendship through sport and CISM promotes solidarity," Suba Saty, Armed Forces Sports secretariat said. "About 20 world championships are organized annually by CISM-member nations throughout the world. We send teams to a majority of the championships and about 300 military athletes represent the U.S. annually. Most of these sports are part of the CISM Military World Games held every four years." The Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness provides policy guidance and oversight concerning the participation of members of the Armed Forces in national and international amateur sports competitions. "Participation in CISM provides a vital link for the United States to be engaged with countries around the globe in a positive manner, and sometimes the only venue to engage certain countries in a military-to-military fashion," Mr. Saty said. The next CISM Military World Games are slated for Brazil in July 2011.