First World Intellectual Impairment Sport Sports and Regions Councils to take place

The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) will hold the first meetings of its Sports and Regions Councils in Paris, France, during the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Summer Games in July.

A new innovation, delegates will be welcomed from across the 14 sports on the World Intellectual Impairment Sport programme. All five World Intellectual Impairment Sport regions – Asia, Oceania, Africa, Americas and Europe – are also invited.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport President Marc Truffaut explained what he hopes can be achieved in Paris: “The idea behind the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Sports and Regions Councils is to share knowledge and best practice between countries and regions.

“Our strategic aims include delivering world class events and sports development as well as increasing our organisational capacity. Building upon the progress already made to develop sports committees and the constitutional changes agreed at the 2017 General Assembly, this is a moment in time which cannot be missed.”

On the agenda

The main focus of the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Sports Council will be competition management and delivery. The agenda will focus on all elements of a successful event but particularly those off the field of play.

“We need to push for the next level and start to work closer with organisers on the things that make competitions really special. These include media and marketing, ticketing, protocol and ceremonies and many more.

“There will also be a special focus on anti-doping and the importance of educating athletes and teams on their responsibilities.”

For the Regions Council the subject of constitutional changes and the relationship with World Intellectual Impairment Sport will be top of the agenda. The crucial role of development by regions of sports in their constituent countries will also be discussed. There will be a focus on getting everyone to develop sports not on the Paralympic programme.

The 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport European Summer Games are being organised by World Intellectual Impairment Sport Europe and will feature eight sports between 14-22 July.

Cycling and tennis is open to athletes outside of the region. Those competitions will act as the World Championships for those sports in 2018.

Image credit: Getty