The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) has invited countries to register their interest in the IWAS World Games and IWAS Guttmann Games, taking place together as part one huge festival of sport from 9-12 October.
The two Games, which were postponed from 2020, are set to be held in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal, and will feature seven sports in total.
The IWAS Guttmann Games are a new addition to the IWAS programme, offering athletes who compete in events not on the Paralympic programme the chance to showcase their skills on an international stage. Wheelchair cricket and beach ParaVolley will feature as medal events whilst surfing is slated as a taster sport.
The IWAS World Games have long been a proving ground for Paralympians and Paralympic champions and in 2021 will enter their 10th edition. Athletics, swimming, powerlifting and cerebral palsy football are expected to attract both current and future stars.
“IWAS are delighted to invite the athletes, coaches and team staff of the IWAS Membership and International Federations to the IWAS Festival of Sport made up of the first IWAS Guttmann Games and IWAS World Games 2021,” IWAS President, Rudi Van Den Abbeele, said.
“The Guttmann Games will be held in honour of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the founding father of IWAS and the Paralympic Movement as a whole, in recognition of his contributions to international sport for people with impairments. These Games will uniquely provide athletes with an international multi-sport competition opportunity, offering an exciting programme. I have no doubt these Games will be the first of many in the years to come, contributing to the growth and access to sport for athletes with impairments around the world.
“We are also delighted to be returning to the picturesque location of the 2017 Games in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal, and to be partnering with the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association to host cerebral palsy football for the first time, alongside World Para Athletics, World Para Swimming and World Para Powerlifting.
“Following what has been a challenging year of uncertainty worldwide, we look forward to welcoming your teams to Portugal and to a successful IWAS Festival of Sport!”
Expressions of interest are invited from IWAS Members only by 14 May. Formal entries will then open on 12 July.
IWAS is working closely with all partners in Portugal to organise the competition and to monitor the situation with COVID-19 closely, nationally and abroad.
Source: iwasf.com
