IBSA has entered into a historic partnership with the International Judo Federation (IJF) to work together to promote judo for blind and partially sighted athletes worldwide.

Here is the news as reported in an IJF press release:

On Monday September 29th, 2014, the IJF President, Mr. Marius Vizer, had the honor to welcome the President of IBSA, Mrs. Jannie Hammershoi, and the Executive Director of the organization, Mr. Neil Donovan, at the IJF Presidential office in Budapest. The purpose of this visit was the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the IJF and IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation).

Caption: the IJF and IBSA Presidents sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

On the occasion of the first edition of the Judo Grand Prix in Budapest, last June, a MoU was already signed between the IJF and the Judo Blind Committee of the IBSA. But today’s agreement reinforces the cooperation between the two organizations at a upper level.

The aim of the collaboration is that the two organizations which have been working independently, maintaining their independence, will continue to work on the development of universal judo jointly coordinated.

In particular:

• To build up a regular dialogue between the IJF and IBSA,
• To disseminate judo worldwide,
• To synchronize and coordinate the preparation of athletes, the education of trainers and referees,
• To develop a common communication media appearance,
• To enable the joint organization of competitions and events.

IBSA has been the only official representative of the blind and organized impaired judo since 1981. The role of IBSA is the dissemination and development of sport for blind and visually impaired athletes worldwide. One of IBSA’s flagship sports is Judo. IBSA organizes the Paralympic Judo events.

The IJF, as the sole legal representative of Judo Worldwide, has as scope of activity to spread judo worldwide in terms of education, promotion, training of professionals, organizing annual competitions including the Olympic Judo events, since its founding in 1951.

Caption: the Presidents shake hands after signing the historic partnership agreement.

Visit the IJF web site for more information on judo activites worldwide.