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University scores spot to host IBSA World Games
The University of Wolverhampton has been selected to host men’s partially sighted football at this summer’s International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) World Games 2023.
Hosted in Birmingham and across the West Midlands, the IBSA World Games is the largest high-level international event for blind and partially sighted athletes.
The World Games will see around 1,250 blind and partially sighted athletes from 70 countries competing across 10 sports between August 18 and August 27.
The University of Wolverhampton will welcome athletes from Great Britain and across the world to its Walsall Campus to host men’s partially sighted football fixtures between August 16 and August 22, at its state-of-the-art Sports Centre, for the first time.
Partially sighted football – which is classified as B2 and B3 – is played by four outfield players plus a fully or partially sighted goalkeeper.
James Dale, Head of WLV Sport at the University said: “We are extremely proud to be able to work with IBSA and host the men’s partially sighted football event for the World Games this August.
“We have been committed to creating accessible and inclusive spaces for our communities to be active and to be able to host this event will hopefully showcase our commitment to being accessible to a wider audience.
“More importantly, we hope that it engages the local community of Walsall and surrounding areas to inspire children, young adults and all people to be active and try to overcome those barriers faced with participation, such as visual impairment or a disability. It is great to showcase and be part of the World Games in 2023.”
Sallie Barker, Chair at British Blind Sport – the national disability sport organisation representing blind and partially sighted people in sport across Great Britain, and host federation for this year’s World Games – said: "We are delighted the University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall Campus is hosting men’s partially sighted football.
“Hosting the 2023 IBSA World Games has the potential to be a watershed moment for the two million people in the UK who are blind or partially sighted – many of whom are currently reluctant to engage in sporting activities due to a range of factors.
“Not only will this World Games showcase to the wider public blind and partially sighted athletes’ abilities, it is aiming to inspire other blind and partially sighted individuals to take advantage of the pathways into sport and other volunteering opportunities in their own communities.”
For more information about the 2023 IBSA World Games visit www.IBSAGames2023.co.uk
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