IBSA Members, Committees and Commissions will be aware that in the last fifteen months a significant package of reforms has been approved and initiated particularly because of the separation of governance (that is those elected) and management (that is the operational consequences of governance). For too long this key risk to IBSA was not addressed, a significant conflict of interest.

One of the main priorities from the outset has been to reform the financial sphere of IBSA, improve the financial condition of the organization and create sustainable financial resources for the investment in our IBSA sports and sports development throughout the world.

Today, IBSA does not have sufficient financial resources to commit to the implementation of even the most modest plans –

• to develop IBSA sports in the regions.
• to stimulate the work of our sports committees.
• to enable the much-needed reforms of our classification and anti-doping programs.
• to increase the IBSA brand and what it stands for in all the forms of social media.
• to support those needy countries with essential sports equipment.
• to increase the knowledge, experience and training opportunities of our coaches, judges and volunteers.

As you can see the list is indeed endless because of the lack of funds and lack of initiatives to raise the necessary funds in the past.

The single problem is that there has been minimal fundraising or sponsor searches for years so that IBSA has had to depend for its very existence on member fees, capitation and license fees – not the best recipe for development or the support of those paying those fees. And if that was not negligent enough there was little recognition that ‘inflation’ is a reality and that fees needed to reflect that too. IBSA was slowly dying financially! Short-term therefore attention was required of IBSA’s fees structure.

That is why the IBSA Executive Director together with sports and financial managers submitted proposals for improving the fees system to the Executive IBSA Board for consideration.

Following careful consideration and consultation with the sports in particular and after reviewing and benchmarking these fees against other international sports federations, the IBSA Executive Board has approved the proposed enhancements to the system and increases in the capitation and license fees as detailed below.

The Board further recognizes that greater efforts need to be made in the areas of sponsorship and fundraising. But as you all know those measures are not for the short term and IBSA’s need is immediate if it is to be the force in the Paralympic Movement it once was.

What is the new IBSA tiered fee structure?

1. Regarding capitation fees.

IBSA World Championships, Continental Championships Division 1, IBSA World Games:

• Senior Championships: €100 per athlete
• Young Athlete Championships (U18): €50 per athlete
• Other team members: €50 per team member.

IBSA Continental Championships Division 2, IBSA Grand Prix, IBSA World Cup, other IBSA Championships:

• Senior Championships: €50 per athlete
• Young Athlete Championships (U18): €25 per athlete
• Other team members: €25 per team member

Multi-sport continental events (e.g. Asian Para Games):

• The level of fees to be agreed with the local organizer: such events are rarely organized by IBSA members.

2. License fees

Standard Athlete License: €25 per athlete

3. Fee Distribution for Sport Committee Support.

To further support the development of our sports, the IBSA Board has approved the following fee distribution model:

For Paralympic Sports:

30% of each capitation fee will be allocated directly to the relevant Sport Committee to support event organization, development programs, and athlete support. The remaining 70% will fund IBSA’s core operations.

For Non-Paralympic Sports:

50% of each capitation fee will be allocated directly to the relevant Sport Committee, while the remaining 50% will support IBSA’s core operations.

Rational:

This model ensures that sports with higher participation receive more direct funding, promoting sustainable growth and improving athlete engagement.

The IBSA Executive Board’s decision is a critical step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of IBSA and the success of its programs. This new structure will generate necessary financial resources, provide increased support for our sports committees, and ensure that IBSA continues to fulfill its mission of promoting sports worldwide.