The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) is a non-profit organisation founded 1981 in Paris, France. It was formerly known as the International Blind Sports Association. IBSA's mission is to promote the full integration of blind and partially-sighted people in society through sport and to encourage people with a visual impairment to take up and practise sports. IBSA is a full and founding member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
In March 2022, in light of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, it banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from its events.[2]
History
The International Blind Sports Association, known by the acronym 'IBSA', was formed in 1981.[3]
The inaugural IBSA president was Paralympic runner and skier Jens Bromann (from Denmark) who served eight years, before becoming involved with the International Paralympic Committee from 1988 to 1992.[3][4] IBSA was one of four organisations, later six, which formed the 'International Co-coordinating Committee Sports for the Disabled in the World' (ICC) in 1982, which on 22 September 1989 became the International Paralympic Committee, as the global governing body of the Paralympic movement.[4][5]
Second president (1993 to 2001) was Enrique Sanz (from Spain), followed by Enrique Perrez (2001 to 2005; also from Spain).[4] Fourth president Michael Barredo (from Philippines) served two terms, from 2005 to 2013.[3] Jannie Hammershøi (from Denmark), a former Paralympic goalball athlete, commenced in September 2013 to serve three terms.[6]
The association changed its name to federation between 2002 and 2003, when based in Spain and used the web address www.ibsa.es. The federation was later relocated and registered to Bonn, Germany. Its logo also changed at sometime from a representation of a globe, to its initials with the federation name below; in both logos, the acronym of IBSA being represented in Braille dots.
Sixth president Sandro Di Girolamo (from Italy), the president of the Italian blind sports association, commenced a four-year term from Monday 11 October 2021.[7] The term was cut short with an extraordinary general assembly for 30 June 2023,[8] whereupon Ilgar Rahimov (from Azerbaijan) commenced his four-year term.[9]
Competition is held within five regions: Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.[11] For the sport of goalball, competitively Asia and Oceania are drawn together as 'Asia-Pacific' region.[12]
In 2015, between 8 May and 18 May, the 5th IBSA World Championships and Games was held in Seoul, South Korea, and included competitions in powerlifting, judo, goalball, football, chess, tenpin bowling, tandem cycling, swimming, showdown, and athletics.
IBSA also organizes world and regional championships in many of its sports. Regional or continental championships are generally held in odd years, while world championships take place every four years in even years when there are no Paralympic Games.
Blind Sports Australia, formerly the Australian Blind Sports Federation (ABSF) was formed in 1980 as the national body to coordinate sport for the blind and vision-impaired in Australia. It encourages and provides access to international competition in world blind and multi-disabled championships for sports recognised by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). BSA is headquartered near Melbourne.
The Asian Paralympic Committee is an organization based in United Arab Emirates. It has 45 National Paralympic Committees of the Asian continent as members. It organizes the Asian Para Games and is affiliated to the International Paralympic Committee.
The Turkish Blind Sports Federation is the governing body to encourage and develop the sport for the blind and vision-impaired in Turkey. It is a member of the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Turkey men's national goalball team is the men's national team of Turkey. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international goalball competitions.
South Korea women's national goalball team is the women's national team of South Korea. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. It takes part in international competitions.
Great Britain women's national goalball team is the women's national team of Great Britain. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. It takes part in international goalball competitions.
Sweden women's national goalball team is the women's national team of Sweden. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international goalball competitions.
Japan women's national goalball team is the women's national team of Japan. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. Its women's team has internationally completed including at the IBSA World Goalball Championships and the Paralympic Games.
Brazil women's national goalball team is the women's national team of Brazil. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international goalball competitions.
Mexico women's national goalball team is the women's national team of Mexico. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international goalball competitions.
United States men's national goalball team is the men's national team of the United States. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international goalball competitions.
Canada men's national goalball team is the men's national team of Canada. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international goalball competitions.
Russia women's national goalball team is the women's national team of Russia. It takes part in international goalball competitions. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment.
The IBSA World Games or World Blind Games are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). The events enable blind and partially sighted athletes to compete in a number of sports. The first event took place at Madrid, Spain in 1998.
Algerian men's national goalball team is the men's national team of Algeria. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international goalball competitions.
Goalball at the 2024 Summer Paralympics will be held in the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris, France.
Japan men's national goalball team is the men's national team of Japan. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. Its men's team has internationally completed including at the IBSA World Goalball Championships and the Paralympic Games.
Brazil men's national goalball team is the men's national team of Brazil. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international competitions.
Mexico men's national goalball team is the men's national team of Mexico. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international competitions.
Venezuela men's national goalball team is the men's national team of Venezuela. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The team takes part in international competitions.
↑ "Ilgar Rahimov is the new IBSA president". International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). 30 June 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
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