Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that the first phase of the IBSA review project has been successfully completed. During this phase, we made significant progress that lays the foundation for further advancement:

• Research and Stakeholder Engagement – We began actively engaging with key stakeholders at all levels to understand the current state and future perspectives for IBSA’s growth.
• Formation of the Project Steering Committee – A steering committee has been created to effectively manage the project and guide it through the next phases. The committee includes IBSA Executive Board members Ilgar Rahimov, Joe Walsh, Mads Baulund, as well as Executive Director Rufat Hajili and Project Lead Xavier Gonzalez.
• Clarification Letter from the President of IBSA – A letter has been prepared outlining the review process and its goals in detail.
• Mapping of the IBSA Ecosystem – A thorough analysis and mapping of the IBSA ecosystem has been conducted, helping us better understand the structure and interactions within the organization.
• Development of Survey and Interview Templates – Templates for surveys and interviews have been prepared to collect data from the organization’s members.
• Review and Analysis of Governance Documents – A review of key governance documents, such as the constitution, internal regulations, and other legal acts, has been completed to develop recommendations for improved governance.

So far, only 30 out of 120 countries have responded to our questionnaire. Therefore, I kindly ask you to take the time to complete the questionnaire https://ibsasport.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IBSA-Strategic-Review-Questionnaire-FINAL-ver.docx by March 31, 2025, and send your responses to office.president@ibsasport.org. The questionnaire is attached to this email.

IBSA is our collective organization, and we want its future to be shaped by all of its members, not just an active minority. In the coming period, we will be working on important documents, including a new constitution and regulatory acts that will influence the development of blind sports worldwide. To ensure these documents reflect the interests of all member countries, it is crucial that everyone continues to actively participate in this process.

The second phase of the review project is now starting, and I sincerely request your active support. This phase includes the following key steps:

• Analysis of Survey Feedback – Processing responses to identify key areas for improvement.
• Preparation of the Preliminary Strategic Report – This will be a draft strategic review, incorporating multiple opinions and recommendations from all IBSA members.
• Active Collaboration with the IBSA Legal Group – Working with legal experts to ensure the recommendations comply with Germany’s legislative standards.

By the end of April, it is planned to present the preliminary report to the IBSA Executive Committee.

We are approaching the historic General Assembly, which will take place in October this year, where crucial decisions that will define the future of IBSA will be discussed and made. This is our chance to create a more modern and respected organization. However, before these documents are put to a vote, we want you to become co-authors of them. It is important that every member of the organization contributes to their development. According to the review implementation schedule, the draft of all amendments to IBSA’s governance documents is expected to be ready by the end of May so they can be reviewed by IBSA members and other stakeholders.

As the President of IBSA, I urge you to continue your active participation in the review project and in the process of creating the key documents that will shape our future work. I am confident that with your help, we can create conditions that will support our athletes in advancing their careers and ensuring their rightful place in society.

I will regularly keep you informed of the progress of the review project. The success of this project and the future of our organization depend entirely on us, its members, and I look forward to even more active participation from your side.

Let’s work together to ensure that IBSA’s future is the result of our joint efforts! We are open to dialogue, discussions, and questions. Please continue to actively participate in the implementation of the IBSA review project.

Best regards,
Ilgar Rahimov
IBSA President