City of Birmingham and British Blind Sport to host IBSA World Games 2023

Birmingham has been selected as the host of the 2023 IBSA World Games, a multi-sport event for blind and partially sighted athletes.

Scheduled to take place from 18 to 27 August 2023, the decision to host the Games in Birmingham was taken by the International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) – following a combined bid between British Blind Sport, UK Sport, Birmingham City Council, the University of Birmingham and Sport Birmingham.  

INTERNATIONAL

“As the IBSA affiliated organisation representing Great Britain, we are delighted to have been selected to host the 2023 IBSA World Games,” commented Alaina MacGregor, chief executive officer of British Blind Sport.

The IBSA World Games are the largest high-level international event for athletes with visual impairments, with more than 1000 competitors from more than 70 nations.

Staged every four years the World Games are the pinnacle of the international calendar outside of the Paralympic Games. With three Paralympic and eight non-Paralympic sports, for some athletes it is the highest level they can compete at.

DELIGHTED

Alaina continued: “The whole team at British Blind Sport are delighted with the outcome and cannot wait to raise the profile of sport for people living with sight loss, as well as the aspirations of the participating athletes.”

The Games will see 11 sports taking place, including: Goalball, Football, Archery, Chess, Cricket, Powerlifting, Shooting, Showdown, Ten Pin Bowling and Tennis.

GOAL

Jannie Hammershoi, IBSA President, added: “We are confident that Birmingham 2023 will contribute towards our goal of being the world’s leading body for sports for athletes with visual impairments.

“That is why in three years’ time we hope to raise the bar for the IBSA World Games.

“We want athletes to have the best platform for their skills, as well as ensuring as many people as possible can experience the sports for themselves.”

It is hoped that through the Games, more awareness will be made on the abilities of people living with vision impairments in the sporting world.

Currently, British Blind Sport represents people across the UK in sport and actively encourages visually impaired children and adults to participate in sporting activities at all levels.

Are you excited for the upcoming Games?

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