The International Paralympic Committee –IPC– has approved the status of Recognised International Federation for the International SAMBO Federation and World Bowls, which are now added to the list of entities that officially represent Para sports at a global level. In the case of World Bowls, the decision is conditional on the completion of the merger process with the International Bowls for the Disabled.
With these additions, the total number of IPC Recognised International Federations now stands at 15. This designation allows organisations to act as the sole global representatives of a specific sport within the Paralympic framework and enables them to apply for inclusion of their disciplines in the official Paralympic Games programme.
Commitment to Para sport development
The International SAMBO Federation currently has 101 affiliated national federations, 20 of which already offer dedicated programmes for athletes with visual impairments. This figure reinforces the organisation’s commitment to the growth of adapted SAMBO, a combat sport with roots in Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, World Bowls comprises over 60 national federations worldwide, with 17 of them running opportunities for athletes with physical or visual impairments. The merger with the International Bowls for the Disabled is part of the consolidation process required by the IPC to validate its full recognition.
A rigorous framework for inclusion
Being granted the status of Recognised International Federation requires meeting strict criteria. These include acting as the sole global representative of the sport in question, providing sufficient evidence of Para sport activity, complying with the World Anti-Doping Code and the IPC Classification Code, and having a formal constitution and set of regulations.
This recognition not only represents institutional validation, but also opens the door to submitting applications for their sports to be considered in future editions of the Paralympic programme. Only those recognised under this framework are eligible to begin that process.
Among the organisations that have already achieved this status are the Fédération Internationale de Powerchair Football Association –FIPFA-, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation –IBSF-, and the International Golf Federation. Also listed are the International Surfing Association, the World Karate Federation, and World Sailing, among others
