BEIJING -- The world wushu governing body IWUF was officially named a member of the International World Games during the International World Games Association (IWGA) Annual General Meeting held virtually on Thursday.

IWUF was approved with majority votes as Zhang Qiuping, IWUF Secretary-General, stated in the application presentation that the sport of wushu has a huge global fan base after decades of popularization and promotion. Wushu has been continuously improved its international influence and brand value.

"Wushu, in addition to its rich fitness value, has very high cultural values. With the inclusion of the IWUF, wushu will increase the diversification of the International World Games Association and the World Games, and enrich the brand and cultural connotation of The World Games," Zhang said.

IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow congratulated the IWUF on its successful membership application in the IWGA family and expressed the hope to work together with IWUF for a win-win cooperation in the near future.

IWGA has 39 member federations after IWUF's participation.

The World Games, firstly held in 1981, hosted by the International World Games Association, is a multi-sport event staged every four years under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.

Wushu was represented at the World Games as an invitational sport in 2009 and 2013. Wushu will show up in Birmingham, Alabama in 2022.