The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball has announced that the sport’s current rules and regulations will stay in place until the end of 2021.
 
The change has been made to accommodate the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The 2018-2020 rules and regulations were due to expire at the end of this year and be replaced following a consultation with countries, coaches, athletes and officials.
 
There will be now be no changes before the Paralympics which will take place from 24 August – 5 September.The only modifications that will be considered will be to correct typographic errors or to improve readability.
 
The next major rule revision will be for the period 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2024.

 
IBSA Goalball has also published the timeline for this revision:
 

• August – November 2020:  Solicitation of rule changes from National Federations

• December 2020:  Announcement of rules to be tested.

• January – April 2021:  Testing of any proposed rules at selected tournaments

• April – May 2021:  Final results of testing to goalball community; selection of final rules and regulations to be prepared into rulebook

• May – June 2021:  Final preparation/editing of 2021-2024 Rules and Regulations.  

• July 1, 2021:  Final Proposed 2021-2024 Rules and Regulations submitted to IBSA Executive Board for approval.

• September – October 2021:  update all documentation (to include Coach Essentials, referee and ITO documentation).

• October – December 2021:  Begin referees’ and officials’ certification/recertification clinics.

• January 1, 2022:  New Rules and Regulations for the period 1 January 2022-31 December 2024 take effect. 

 
Please direct any proposed rule or regulation changes to [email protected] and [email protected].