Chapter 1 　General Provisions

Article 1 Name
This federation shall be called the International Sumo Federation (hereinafter called the “IFS”).

Article 2 Office
The office of the IFS shall be located at 1-15-20 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Article 3 Definition
1 The use of “sumo” in these rules refers to Japanese Sumo wrestling.
2 The use of “Country” in these rules refers to countries and regions.

Article 4 Principles of Equality and Non-intervention
1 No form of discrimination based on race, creed, political opinion or any other reason may be made in the IFS.
2 The IFS shall not conduct political activities and shall not intervene in the internal affairs of an organization that is a member of IFS (hereinafter called a “member organization”).
3 A member organization must not intervene in the internal affairs of other member organizations.

Article 5 Principle of Non-restrictive Participation
A member organization shall not refuse, without an appropriate reason, a person who wishes to participate in an organizational operation and/or sumo activities.

Article 6 Language
The official languages of the IFS are Japanese and English. However, Japanese shall be used for terminology regarding facilities, equipment and techniques.


Chapter 2 　Objectives and Activities

Article 7 Objectives
As an international organization for amateur sport of sumo, the IFS shall undertake its objectives to internationally propagate and promote the traditional Japanese sport of sumo, as well as working toward mutual friendship and good relations among the member organizations.

Article 8 Activities
The IFS shall engage in the following activities in order to achieve its objectives stipulated in the preceding Article:
(1) To promote the organization of sumo groups in various Countries
(2) To establish international competition rules and other rules regarding sumo
(3) To hold World Championships and other international tournaments of sumo
(4) To hold seminars and classes on sumo
(5) To arrange equipment and books etc. for sumo
(6) To promote the exchange of information between member organizations by publishing bulletins and others
(7) To carry out other activities that are necessary to achieve the objectives of the IFS


Chapter 3 　Member Organizations

Article 9 Membership
1 Organizations representing sumo in various Countries (this shall be limited to one organization per Country that is representative of the Country, hereinafter called the “Country Federation”) and organizations in the continents where member Countries belong to (hereinafter called the “Continental Federation”) that support the objectives of the IFS may become members of the IFS after obtaining an approval by the Board of Directors.
2 When the Board of Directors approves a Country Federation, as stipulated in the preceding Item, it shall do so provisionally for two (2) years. After two (2) years of provisional period is over, the Board of Directors shall review the application for official approval.
3 Application for membership must be submitted with IFS-designated application form. In the case of Country Federation, three letters of recommendation (with signatures of persons with credibility, such as representatives of the prospective country’s National Olympic Committee or registered sports organizations) must be attached.

Article 10 Membership Fees and Annual Fees
1 Member organizations must pay the IFS membership fees and annual fees.
2 The amount to be paid for membership fees and annual fees is provided separately.

Article 11 Revocation of Qualification
A member organization loses its qualification for one of the following reasons.
(1) Withdrawal
(2) Dissolution of the member organization
(3) Expulsion
(4) When a member organization provisionally approved under Item 2 of Article 9 was not officially approved as stipulated in Item 2 of Article 9.

Article 12 Withdrawal
When a member organization intends to withdraw from the IFS, it must submit the reason for doing so, together with the withdrawal notice to the IFS and obtain the approval of the Board of Directors.

Article 13 Expulsion
When a member organization falls under one of the following categories, the President may expel the organization with the support of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors.

(1) If it has violated its obligations as a member organization.
(2) If it has damaged the reputation of the IFS or carried out actions that infringe the objectives of the IFS.
(3) If it has fallen two (2) years or more in arrears of annual fees.
(4) If it has not participated in any of the World Sumo Championships, World Junior Sumo Championships, or a Continental Sumo Championships in which the member organization belongs, for five (5) years.


Chapter 4 　Officers, etc

Article 14 Officers
The IFS shall appoint the following officers.
(1) President One (1)
(2) Vice-President One (1) for each Continental Federation.
Additionally, several appointed by the President
(3) Secretary General One (1)
(4) Directors One (1) for each Continental Federation and seven (7)
from the member organization representing Japan (referred to as the “Japan Sumo Federation” in Item 2 of the Supplementary Provisions) including some Executive Directors
(5) Auditors Two (2)
(6) Trustees One (1) for each Country Federation

Article 15 Election
1 The President shall be elected by the Board of Directors.
2 Vice-Presidents shall be elected by the Board of Directors based on recommendations from each Continental Federation. The President shall designate several others.
3 The Secretary General shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Board of Directors.
4 Directors shall be elected based on recommendations from each Continental Federation and the Japan Sumo Federation.
5 Executive Directors shall be elected by mutual election among the Directors.
6 Auditors shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Auditors may not hold another post at the same time.
7 Trustees shall be elected based on recommendations from each Country Federation.

Article 16 Duties
1 The President shall represent the IFS and supervise its activities.
2 Vice-Presidents shall assist the President and in cases where the President is unable to fulfill the duties of the office, they shall act in place of the President in the order predetermined by the President.
3 The Secretary General shall be commissioned by the President to manage the affairs of the IFS.
4 Executive Directors shall assist the President, Vice-Presidents and the Secretary General in handling the day-to-day operation of the IFS.
5 Directors shall attend the meetings of the Board of Directors and decide upon the execution of IFS affairs.
6 Auditors shall audit the affairs and accounts of the IFS.
7 Trustees shall attend general assemblies, receive reports from the Board of Directors. Trustees may respond to requests from the Board of Directors for advice by stating their opinions on items that must be communicated to the President.

Article 17 Tenure
1 The tenure of officers shall be two (2) years. Officers may be re-appointed.
2 The tenure of officers elected through substitution or increased numbers shall be the remaining time of previous or present officers.
3 Officers shall carry out their duties after their tenure has ended until the next elected officer takes office.

Article 18 Officers’ Annual Fees
1 Officers must pay annual fees to the IFS.
2 The amount for these annual fees is provided separately.

Article 19 Dismissal
When an officer falls under one of the following categories, the President may dismiss the officer with the support of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors.
(1) If the officer is deemed to be mentally or physically unable to execute the duties of the office.
(2) If it is deemed that the officer violated an obligation of the duties of the office or committed other conduct unbecoming of an officer.
(3) If the officer has fallen one (1) year or more in arrears of annual fees.

Article 20 Honorary President, etc.
1 The IFS may appoint an honorary President, honorary Advisors or Advisors.
2 The honorary President, honorary Advisors and Advisors shall be commissioned by the President based upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors
3 The honorary President may give advice to the President regarding important ISF matters.
4 Honorary Advisors and Advisors shall respond to consultation from the President.


Chapter 5 Meetings

Article 21 General Assembly
The general assembly shall be comprised of the officers and be convened by the President once per year.

Article 22 Board of Directors
1 The Board of Directors is comprised of the President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary General and Directors. The meeting of the Board of Directors shall be convened once per year by the President.
2 The President may also call an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors when there has been a request from the Board of Executive Directors or it is deemed necessary for other reasons.

Article 23 Items of Resolution for the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall decide upon the following items in addition to those specified in these rules.
(1) Issues on activities plans and budget of income and expenditure
(2) Issues on activities reports and settlement of accounts
(3) Other important issues in IFS affairs

Article 24 Board of Executive Directors
1 The Board of Executive Directors is comprised of the President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary General and Executive Directors, and shall be convened by the President as required.
2 The Board of Executive Directors shall deliberate upon items in the execution of the ISF’s day-to-day affairs.

Article 25 Chairperson of Meetings
The chairperson of meetings shall be performed by the President.

Article 26 Quorum and Decisions
1 Meetings of the Board of Directors may not proceed and resolve unless at least one half (1/2) of its members are present. However, those that express their opinion regarding the applicable issues in writing in advance are considered as being present.
2 Proceedings of the Board of Directors shall be decided with a majority of those present. In the case of a tie, the chairperson shall decide the issue.

Article 27 Minutes
Minutes shall be kept for all meetings, and must be signed by the meeting’s chairperson and two (2) representatives of those in attendance before being stored.


Chapter 6 Assets and Accounts

Article 28 Assets
The assets of the IFS are as follows.
(1) Properties included in the list of properties at the time of foundation
(2) Revenue resulting from assets
(3) Membership fees and annual fees from member organizations
(4) Annual fees from the officers
(5) Business revenue
(6) Revenue from broadcasting rights and advertising
(7) Official judge authorization fees
(8) Grading fees
(9) Other revenues

Article 29 Asset Management
The assets of the IFS shall be managed by the President. The method of managing the assets shall be determined by the resolution of the Board of Directors.

Article 30 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the ISF shall begin on 1 April and end on 31 March every year.


Chapter 7 Special Committees

Article 31 Competition Committee
1 Competition Committee shall be established in the IFS.
2 The Competition Committee shall handle matters regarding the operation of tournaments, competition rules, refereeing techniques, facilities, study of equipment and other sumo-related matters.
3 The rules regarding the organization and operation of the Competition Committee shall be determined separately after deliberation by the Board of Directors.

Article 32 Medical Committee
1 Medical Committee shall be established in the IFS.
2 The Medical Committee shall handle medical and scientific study regarding sumo as well as doping-related issues.
3 The rules regarding the organization and operation of the Medical Committee shall be determined separately after deliberation by the Board of Directors.

Article 33 Other Special Committees
In addition to the special committees provided in the preceding two Articles, the IFS may establish other special committees such as the General Affairs Committee, Propagation and Education Committee, Public Relations Committee, Grading Committee, and Finance Committee.


Chapter 8 Supplementary Rules

Article 34 Revision of Rules
These rules may not be altered without a resolution being passed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors.

Article 35 Dissolution
The dissolution of the IFS may not be carried out without a resolution being passed by at least three-fourths (3/4) of the Board of Directors.

Article 36 Disposal of Residual Assets
The disposal of residual assets in the case of the dissolution of the IFS shall be decided upon by a resolution supported by at least three-fourths (3/4) of the Board of Directors.

Article 37 Enforcement Regulations
The enforcement regulations concerning the execution of these rules shall be determined separately after deliberation by the Board of Directors.


Supplementary Provisions
1 These rules shall take effect as of 10 December 1992.
2 The Japan Sumo Federation shall play a guiding role in the operation of the IFS for the foreseeable future. The Japan Sumo Federation shall endeavor to actively provide guidance and advice to other member organizations.

Revised Supplementary Provisions
1 These rules shall take effect as of 24 June, 2002.
2 The provision regarding the election of Executive Directors (enforced on 10 December 1992) shall be abolished.

Revised Supplementary Provisions
These rules shall take effect as of 15 September 2004.

Revised Supplementary Provisions
1 These rules shall take effect as of 26 April 2005.
2 The revised Item 4 of Article 13 shall be applied for championships held after these rules take effect.

3 Rules on Membership Fees and Annual Fees

The membership fees and annual fees stipulated in Item 2, Article 9 of the International Sumo Federation Rules shall be as follows:

(1) Membership Fees US$100 (At time of initial membership only)
(2) Annual Fees US$50

Supplementary Provisions
These rules shall take effect as of 24th June, 2002.

Revised Supplementary Provisions
These rules shall take effect as of 26 April 2005

Rules on Officers’ Annual Fees

Officers’ annual fees stipulated in Item 2, Article 16 of the International Sumo Federation Rules shall be as follows:
(1) President US$25,000
(2) Vice-President US$15,000
(3) Secretary General US$8,000
(4) Director US$4,000
(5) Auditor US$2,000
(6) Trustee Annual fees are not required.


Supplementary Provisions
These rules shall take effect as of 24th June, 2002.

Revised Supplementary Provisions
These rules shall take effect as of 26 April 2005