The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has agreed a long-term partnership with World Intellectual Impairment Sport aimed at providing more opportunities to play Para-Hockey across the world.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by both organisations following extensive discussions and planning over the last few months.

This formalisation will see the development and implementation of strategies and programmes aimed at growing the discipline of Para-Hockey for persons with intellectual disability as part of the FIH’s continued drive to increase access to hockey at all levels and abilities, as part of the 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy.

Whilst plans to develop this discipline form the foundations of this agreement, FIH have committed to a number of measures relating to governance, regulation and administration. This will include the establishment of classification criteria as well as measures designed to manage anti-doping and corruption.

One of the immediate tasks will be the undertaking of a global audit to monitor participation figures in relation to this discipline. A concerted effort will also be made to promote Para-Hockey amongst FIH’s 137 National Associations and World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ 81 Member Organisations.

Once this discipline becomes further established internationally, it is the intention to integrate Para-Hockey events into the international hockey calendar, with a view to introducing Continental events and World Cups, another important step towards possible Paralympic Games inclusion in the future.

Speaking of this agreement, FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra said: “This is an exciting time for our sport and in particular Para-Hockey. The signing of this MoU with World Intellectual Impairment Sport outlines our commitment to the development and promotion of this discipline and provides yet another example of hockey’s inclusivity, a key component of our 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy.” He continued: “We look forward to working with World Intellectual Impairment Sport to create a solid structure aimed at increasing access to Para-Hockey over the coming years.”

Amaury Russo, World Intellectual Impairment Sport President added: “We are delighted to be working with FIH in the coming years. Signing this MoU is a significant step for both organisations and the sport of Para-Hockey. We know that there are thousands of people already engaged with this discipline and now, together with FIH, we can really push on with developing opportunities globally through a professionally structured, long-term strategy.”

Over the coming months further details about the development of Para-Hockey will be revealed through through FIH.ch and via FIH Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #ParaHockey.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport members are advised that the dates of the 2017 World Futsal Championships have been revised. The competition will now take place between 8th – 15th April 2017.

The Federazione Svizzera Sport Paralimpici (World Intellectual Impairment Sport Switzerland) have become the latest members of World Intellectual Impairment Sport taking membership in Europe to 28 members.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport – the International Federation of sport for para-athletes with an intellectual disability – is pleased to announce that the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Football Championships are awarded to Sweden.

The Championships, held every four years, has traditionally followed the FIFA World Cup with the previous editions being held in Brazil and South Africa.  However in an effort for the event to have its own identity and profile World Intellectual Impairment Sport elected to open bidding in line with its other major championships.

The Championships, to be held in August 2018, will be organised by the Swedish Parasport Federation and Swedish Paralympic Committee in the cities of Karlstad, Arvika and Kil located in the region of Värmland.

Sweden are long supporters of World Intellectual Impairment Sport events having successfully hosted the 2012 European Football Championships and the 1st World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games back in 2004.

The Organising Committee hope that by hosting the event it will not only strengthen the relationship with the Swedish Football Association but also act as a catalyst to recruiting more players with an intellectual disability to compete at a higher level​.​

The 2014 edition saw 8 teams compete from 4 regions, but the 2018 World Championships is set to expand to accommodate up to 12 teams.  Hosts Sweden will automatically have a place in the tournament, along with 2014 World Champions Saudi Arabia confirming acceptance of their place following their victory over South Africa in the 2014 final.

Teams from across Europe will compete this September in Paris in the 2016 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Football Championships, with qualification spots up for grabs for the 2018 event.  World Intellectual Impairment Sport is working hard with its other regional associations to deliver Regional Championship events in the Americas, Asia/Oceania and Africa in 2017 providing a formal qualification route for the World Championships.  This will be a major milestone in the development of the sport with only Europe having previously held regional championships.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport is pleased to launch a new way for our supporters to get more involved in the organisation.

Marking our 30 anniversary, World Intellectual Impairment Sport:30 is a way for all athletes, family members, sports professionals, companies, organisations and those with an interest in World Intellectual Impairment Sport and sport for athletes with an intellectual disability to support the organisation and receive exclusive benefits.

Benefits

• Regular news updates and tailored newsletters
• An invitation for up to 2 people to attend the World Intellectual Impairment Sport 30th Anniversary Dinner in New York (April 2016) including a reception with World Intellectual Impairment Sport Board members*
• A complimentary World Intellectual Impairment Sport t-shirt and pin badge
• An invitation to World Intellectual Impairment Sport events
• Discount on World Intellectual Impairment Sport merchandise (to be launched late 2016)
• Access to special offers and competitions

Additional benefits for companies and organisations include:

• Use of relevant marques & programme logos
• Business logo and profile displayed on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport 30 web-page for 1 year, with enhanced profile on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport homepage for 14 days (35,000 page views monthly, 12,000 unique)
• A tailored press releases to announce your support with promotion on World Intellectual Impairment Sport social media channels
• World Intellectual Impairment Sport 30 mention & exposure during Global ID Sports Week (June 2016).
• Logo on all World Intellectual Impairment Sport 2016 newsletters (published quarterly)

* – travel and accommodation excluded

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