The University of Birmingham (UoB) announced it will host the 2023 International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) World Games, a multi-sport event for blind and partially sighted athletes.
The IBSA Games will be taking place in venues across Birmingham and the wider region from August 18 to 27, in 2023 and UoB will be providing the Games Village as well as many sports facilities for the event.
Launching the games
On April 27, the official launch for the games took place in the Bramall Building at the university during which the Games’ organisers, GB athletes, local and international partners, and organisations, were in attendance and gathered to celebrate the official countdown to the Games.
1,250 athletes will travel from across the world to compete in 11 different sports inducing tennis, archery, and powerlifting. The football, goalball and judo events will act as qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
‘Wonderful Opportunity’
Esther Britten, Head of Major Events at UK Sport, said they are looking forward to working with the university to deliver an event that ‘drives significant social and economic benefits for everyone involved, especially those with sight loss.’
The UoB Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor David Adams, said: ‘We were incredibly proud to be part of the winning bid to host the Games in Birmingham with our University providing the Games Village and many sports facilities. The University is committed to significant research into sight loss, and we are proud to have over 60 visually impaired students studying at the University.’
Meanwhile, Sallie Barker, Chair of British Blind Sport, stated: ‘We are so excited that the countdown to the Games has officially begun.
‘Today’s launch was a wonderful opportunity to introduce the blind and partially sighted sporting world to Birmingham and the wider region and we can’t wait to welcome athletes from all over the world to the second city next summer.’
