IPC: Para Sport Technical Expertise Boost

As part of efforts to expand and strengthen the number of sports technical officials within the Paralympic Movement, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has awarded scholarships worth €770,000 to 21 International Federations and International Sports Organizations for People with Disabilities (IOSD) to deliver technical training activities in 26 Para sports.

The IPC grants, which are awarded under the “Sport for Mobility” programme, will enable International Federations and IOSDs to design and deliver specific training programmes, from basic to high performance level, in order to increase the number of technical officials and improve their skills. From the training of classifiers to the application of sport-specific rules, these training activities will ensure that technical staff have the latest knowledge and tools to guide athletes and effectively manage Para sporting events.

Kristina Molloy, Deputy Chief Executive of the IPC, said: “The International Federations and IOSDs are the backbone of Para sport, and the IPC is pleased to provide them with grants to invest in the recruitment and development of sports technical officials. This support is made possible by our innovative Sport for Mobility programme, which contributes to the development of Para sport on a global scale, from grassroots to high performance.

“The Para sport ecosystem is fundamental to the success of athletes and includes coaches, classifiers, referees, technical officials and many other people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to develop athletes and make competitions fair, safe and world-class. By equipping technical staff with greater knowledge and tools, we are supporting the sustainable growth of Para sports and strengthening the entire system that supports athlete development.”

In November 2025, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) used its grant to help fund a series of workshops in Baku, Azerbaijan, for emerging athletes, coaches, classifiers and administrators. A total of 52 participants representing 13 European countries attended. Organized in collaboration with the IPC, Badminton Europe and the Azerbaijan Badminton Federation, the workshops offered four integrated learning pathways covering athlete training camp, disability training, administration and national Para badminton pathways and national ranking. The program also created important opportunities for networking and cooperation between national federations and Paralympic bodies.

Jakub Filčák, a coach from Czechia who participated in the workshop, said: “The workshop was very informative and inspiring. It was designed primarily for beginners, as an introduction to Para badminton. It provided practical knowledge on Para badminton training, as well as many opportunities to share experiences and learn from both the coaches and the other participants. The sessions were interactive and I appreciated the practice and discussions on adapting training to athletes with various disabilities.”

In 2026, several technical training initiatives in Para sports will be carried out in different regions. Thanks to the IPC training grant and funding from the UCI Solidarity Fund, the International Cycling Union (UCI) will organize a Para cycling training course, a national classifier training program and an athlete training camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand, ahead of the first Road Cycling World Cup of the season in March. Around 30 people from 15 Asian countries are expected to participate.

The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) will use its grant to host a football training camp for the blind in Ecuador, World Abilitiesport will host a wheelchair fencing training camp in Nigeria, the first of its kind in the region, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) will host a wheelchair tennis training program in South Africa targeting participants from Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania.

Funding was available for initiatives ranging from in-person training sessions to the development of technical education content and online courses, creating flexible learning opportunities for officials around the world.

The 21 International Federations and IOSDs that will receive grants for sports technical training in 2025 and 2026 are: World Badminton Federation, International Equestrian Federation, International Biathlon Union, International Blind Sports Federation, International Canoe Federation, International Ski and Snowboard Federation, International Table Tennis Federation, International Tennis Federation, International Wheelchair Basketball Federation, International Cycling Union, World Abilitiesport, World Archery, World Curling, World ParaVolley, World Para Ice Hockey, World Para Powerlifting, World Para Swimming, World Shooting Para Sport, World Rowing, World Taekwondo, World Triathlon and World Wheelchair Rugby.