Nominations are now open for the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of para-athletes with an intellectual disability and those who work tirelessly to support them.

• The Marie Little Best Female Athlete Award
• Best Male Athlete Award

These awards recognise an outstanding female and male athlete who have excelled in competition and training. The best female award is named in honour of Marie Little – former World Intellectual Impairment Sport Executive Committee member and a lifelong supporter of women and girls in sport – who passed away in 2014.

• Unsung Hero Award

This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a volunteer, coach, staff member or supporter who has made a significant difference to an athlete or sport for athletes with an intellectual disability.

• World Intellectual Impairment Sport Hall of Fame

This award recognises the unique and outstanding contribution of an individual during their career – either an athlete, a volunteer, coach, administrator or other significant role.

Nominations close 31st January 2017. To nominate, visit the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Awards webpage.

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.