The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball has announced the postponement of the 2021 Americas and Asia-Pacific Goalball Championships to early 2022.

The 2021 Americas competition was due to take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October. However due to uncertainty around travel restrictions still a factor, the tournament will now take place from 15-22 February 2022.

The Asia-Pacific Championships, scheduled for November in Asan, South Korea, has also been rescheduled to early 2022 for the same reasons. The new dates will be announced shortly.

Kari Rasanen, Chairperson of the IBSA Goalball Committee said: “Unfortunately COVID-19 is still causing Local Organising Committees and teams significant challenges and we have had to make these changes to ensure the competitions can go ahead.

“After a successful Paralympic Games in Tokyo, it is crucial that we are able to gather as many teams together as possible to ensure high quality competitions for athletes and fans, and to continue to grow goalball within these regions.

“We are confident that the LOCs will still put on a great show in the build-up to the 2022 World Championships in Hangzhou, China, in June.”

Fans can look forward to the 2021 IBSA Goalball European Championships C in Targu Mures, Romania, from 14-21 November and the IBSA Goalball African Championships in Cape Coast, Ghana, from 3-11 December.

The Euros C will provide teams the chance for promotion to pool B. The African Championships are a qualifier for the 2022 Worlds which themselves offer countries places at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The first World Goalball Day will also take place on 12 September, with players, teams and fans from around the world expected to celebrate in-person and online. People can get involved by trying goalball for themselves and posting videos and pictures to social media, using #WorldGoalballDay. Athletes and countries are being encouraged to share what goalball means to them.