19-03- 2026 - At the General Assembly of Panathlon International Flanders on Thursday, March 19, Chairman Willy Pennoit passed the torch to Sander Renson.
Three years ago, Willy Pennoit was the co-architect of a necessary renewal following a challenging COVID-19 period. His mandate was clear: transforming local clubs into a cohesive regional organization and establishing a foundation for partnerships with clubs, federations, and the educational sector. Referencing the 2025 annual report, Pennoit highlighted the numerous initiatives that successfully met these objectives over the past year. He welcomed both new and returning members, each of whom plays a vital role—according to their unique strengths—in developing Panathlon in Flanders and, most importantly, in promoting Integrity in Sports.
A Sustainable Future
As a financially modest non-profit (vzw), Panathlon International Flanders (P.I.V.) continues to prioritize a healthy and sustainable operation. Despite limited resources, P.I.V. remains dedicated to its social mission and aims for a stable and positive financial balance in 2026. Consequently, P.I.V. is actively seeking committed partners to help amplify its values. Together, we can create more opportunities for networking, dialogue, and positive impact within the sporting world.
International Congress and the Jacques Rogge Award
Paul Standaert, District President, took the floor to present the program for the Panathlon International Congress, held in Ghent on June 4 and 5. In the coming weeks, Panathlon International will reach out to members with registration details. On the evening of Friday, June 5, the Belgian clubs will present the first-ever Panathlon Jacques Rogge Award at Ghent City Hall. Communication regarding this award will launch in April.
The New Board
Sander Renson, the newly appointed Chairman of P.I.V., thanked Willy Pennoit for his selfless dedication and commitment and welcomed the new Board of Directors:
• Mrs Lieve Van Erum, Mrs Ilse Vanhoorelbeke, Mr Bert Verbauwhede, Mr Pascal Cornelis, Mr Willy Pennoit, Mr Alex De Man, Mr Sven De Wilde and Mr Paul Standaert.
• Dirk Vandenhout will continue to serve as Treasurer, assisting the board with legal obligations. Having served for over 40 years, Dirk ensures continued excellence in financial management.
Looking Ahead: Innovation and Best Practices
Future activities were briefly outlined. P.I.V. will take a leading role in the "Poster Showcase of Best Practices from Panathlon Clubs Worldwide" at the International Congress. these insights will be captured in a digital handbook, providing a new momentum for Panathlon International’s mission: the promotion of culture and ethics in sports.
Meeting Schedule and "Declaration 2.0"
The board has established a recurring meeting schedule to allow members to plan ahead: the third Thursday of January, April, June, September, and November. The General Assembly is scheduled for March.
In 2026, work will begin on the Panathlon Declaration 2.0, tailored to the sporting landscape in Flanders. Initiated by a working group led by Ilse and Sander, the drafting process will involve partners from Sports and Education throughout the coming weeks and autumn. Sportieq (formerly ICES) will also be involved in shaping this new Declaration.
