INTERNATIONAL SUMO FEDERATION RULES

Chapter 3Member 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,Country Federation may extend the interim period, the Board of Directors shall determine the application whether or not a formal 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) And Document indicates that includes the requirements listed below must be attached.

    4. (1) A registered member for more than 20 persons that actually active in sumo activities.
    (2) Have financial resources basis that can pay entry membership fee and annual fee on set forth in the IFS fiscal year as stated in the following IFS Article.

  4. Country Federation has received a tentative approval of the second terms; will able to compete in international sumo competitions, also can attend the meeting as observers, such as the General Assembly of the IFS, without opinion allowed.
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 Full Compliance with IFS Polic
  1. A member organization must follow the IFS policy in regards to the running of a Sumo competition / event, to participating in a Sumo competition / event, and to the running of the member organization's events.
  2. Member organization must in charge of implementing the IFS decision, policies and other various terms of IFS rules.
  3. When Member organization matter could arise to contrary to the preceding of IFS as stated in Article 11.2, ?IFS able to provide guidance and make recommendations to the member organizations.
Article 12 Revocation of Qualification
A member organization loses its qualification for one of the following reasons.
(1)Withdrawal
(2)Dissolution Or disappearance 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 13 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 14 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 4Officers, etc

Article 15 Officers
The IFS shall appoint the following officers.
(1) PresidentOne (1)
(2) Vice-PresidentOne (1) for each Continental Federation.Additionally, several appointed by the President
(3) Secretary GeneralOne (1)
(4) DirectorsOne (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) Additionally, several appointed by the President ?and representative from Athletes Committee as stipulated in Article 36 as well as some representative who nominated by the President including some Executive Directors
(5) AuditorsTwo (2)
(6) TrusteesOne (1) for each Country Federation
Additionally, several appointed by the President
Article 16 Election
  1. The President shall be elected by the Board of Directors.
  2. Vice-Presidents shall be Continental Director based on election from each Continental Federation (when missing, Continental Federation shall recommendation a person or the equivalent to the Board of Directors). 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, Except representative from Athlete committee, shall be elected based on recommendations from each Continental Federation and the Japan Sumo Federation. Additionally, several appointed by the President.
  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. Additionally, several appointed by the President.
Article 17 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 fulfil 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 important issues in IFS affairs .
  5. Directors shall attend the meetings of the Board of Directions 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 18 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 19 Officers'Annual Fees
  1. Officers must pay annual fees to the IFS.
  2. The amount for these annual fees is provided separately.
Article 20 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 21 Honorary President, etc.
  1. The IFS may appoint an honorary President, honorary Vice-President, honorary Advisors or Advisors.
  2. The honorary President, honorary Vice-President, honorary Advisors and Advisors shall be commissioned by the President based upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
  3. The honorary President and honorary Vice-President, may give advice to the President regarding important ISF matters.
  4. Honorary Advisors and Advisors shall respond to consultation from the President.