News

In celebration of International Women’s Day, a groundbreaking initiative has been launched to champion gender equality in the exhilarating world of wheelchair rugby. A task group dedicated to increasing female participation in the sport on a global scale has been established, marking a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and diversity within the wheelchair rugby community. Wheelchair rugby, a dynamic and high-impact Paralympic sport, has long been beloved for its intensity, skill, and teamwork. However, women have historically been underrepresented in this electrifying game.

The Ukrainian Para triathlon team has joined the Japanese national team for a training camp in Okinawa, Japan, from February 25 to March 5. Faced with challenges in training due to the current situation in Ukraine, the athletes sought a training environment in Japan’s warm and welcoming atmosphere to prepare for upcoming competitions.

“I’m very pleased to be here because people are so kind and are building good relationships with us,” expressed Alisa Korpakchy, one of the Ukrainian Para triathletes. “It’s not usual for us these days, so it’s very pleasant for us.”

The upcoming 2024 IWBF Asia Oceania Wheelchair Basketball Championships will introduce a groundbreaking initiative by assembling female players from various countries to form an Asia Oceania Composite team for the women’s competition. The primary objective is to enhance participation in women’s wheelchair basketball in the Asia Oceania region, providing inspiration to women and offering opportunities for those lacking sufficient players to form teams.

The 1st World Abilitysport Guttmann Games will be held from 10-14 July 2024 in the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain.

The Games, aimed specifically at sports and events not on the Paralympic programme, will host a competition programme of powerchair hockey and para dance sport with a development forum and showcase to be held in wheelchair cricket.

In a groundbreaking moment for FIS, the first-ever FIS development camp dedicated to para-snowboarding was held in Landgraaf (NED) at the end of November. Uniquely tailored as a women-only event, its aim was to encourage greater female participation in the sport. The event marked a successful debut, attracting 13 potential new competitors from 8 different nations.

In an unexpected announcement, the World ParaVolley President, Barry Couzner OAM, revealed his retirement from volleyball and paravolley activities, effective 31 December 2023.  He had another year to serve as President, but a health issue has prevented him from continuing in the role which he began in October 2014, making this the 10th year of his Presidency.

Vice President Lori Okimura will automatically take over as President until December 2024 and meanwhile a new Vice President will be sought by the Board.

The World Wheelchair-B Curling Championship 2023 will take place in the Kisakallio Sports Institute in Lohja, Finland from 5–10 November.

11 teams will play for spots in the World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2023 line-up. The three podium-finisher teams in Lohja qualify for the world championship, taking place in March 2024 in Gangneung, Korea.

World Abilitysport and World ParaVolley have signed an agreement which will see the two organisations work together on the development of the sport, athletes and officials over the next four years.

World Abilitysport offers a range of sports and development opportunities for people with physical impairments, headlined by its biennial World Games. It has a long history of supporting sports and disciplines both on and off the Paralympic programme.

The International Tennis Federation has announced that wheelchair tennis’ longest standing sponsor, NEC, will continue as title sponsor of the NEC Wheelchair Singles Masters and as an international partner of Japanese tournaments on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour for an additional three-year period from 2024 through 2026.

Tim Reddish, 66, former chairman of the British Paralympic Association, was elected by the IBSA Executive Board, as chairperson of the IBSA Legal and Ethics Committee (LEC).

The five-time medalist in three Paralympic Games (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sidney 2000) explained what his role will be in the near future.

World Boccia are delighted to announce that Mr Jon Morgan OBE has been appointed as President and Mr Richard Boele as Treasurer, following elections at the recent General Assembly in Portugal. Jon was nominated by UK Boccia and Richard by Boccia Australia. Both have previous World Boccia Board experience. World Boccia would also like to thank Dr Ahmed Adam for his interest in the role of Treasurer. Mr David Hadfield OBE (Immediate Past President) was given the role of Honorary Vice President of World Boccia in appreciation of the incredible amount he has done for our sport.