IBSA Blind Football continues to expand its pool of qualified referees thanks to training and education courses worldwide.

Lima was the venue for the most recent training course for blind football officials, held in partnership and with support from the Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee.

The IBSA Blind Football Refereeing Co-ordinator was on hand to conduct the course, which was attended by 15 referees – 13 men and 2 women – from 12 countries.

The course lasted two and a half days and included multimedia classroom sessions using match videos and presentations and on-pitch practical sessions featuring some players from the Peruvian national team.

Caption: referees listen attentively to the IBSA Blind Football Refereeing Co-ordinator.

Officials from the following countries took full advantage of the course in the Peruvian capital: Argentina, Aruba, Chile, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Suriname, Venezuela and Peru.

Following the course, IBSA Blind Football has updated its list of qualified international officials. The list now runs to 109 officials from 35 countries. Click here to view or download the updated list.

In two months Lima will play host to the 2019 Parapan American Games, a major multi-sport and multi-disability event featuring, among other competitions, IBSA's three flagship sports: blind football, judo and goalball. The 6th edition of the Parapans start on Friday 21st August and close on Sunday September 1st, and 1890 athletes from 33 countries, who will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines, are expected to participate. 

Brazil are the reigning Parapan champions in blind football thanks to a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Argentina in the final at the 2015 games in Toronto. Mexico defeated Colombia in a penalty shoot-out to take bronze. 

Caption: participants, including players from the Peruvian national team, pose for a group photo following the practical sessions.