The International Go Federation (IGF) is an international organization that connects the various national Go federations around the world.

Role

The role of the IGF is to promote the sport of Go throughout the world, promote amicable relations among members and improve world go organization. It does so by carrying out the following activities:

Policies

The IGF is an apolitical and non-religious organization, and strives to promote fair play amongst all players.

History

The Japan Go Association organized the first World Go Amateur Championship in Japan, in 1979. Many of the top Go players from around the world and representatives from the major National Go Associations attended the event. Its success led to the founding of the International Go Federation on March 18, 1982, with Shizuo Asada presiding over the original 29 founding members. On April 7, 2006, the IGF became a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). The IGF is one of the founding member of the IMSA (International Mind Sports Association). The IGF organizes the yearly World Amateur Go Championship, which attracts over 65 countries.

Tournaments

Members

the IGF has 77 member nations: 39 in Europe, 18 in Asia, 15 in the Americas, 3 in Africa and 2 in Oceania. It also has five Association Members, which cover multiple countries: the World Pair Go Association, the Federación Iberoamericana de Go, the European Go Federation, the Ing Changk Wei-Chi Education Foundation and the Asian Go Federation. 77 Nations in 2023: 5 Association Members:

IGF Presidents