The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) has officially passed the governance and development of shooting for athletes with visual impairments to World Shooting Para Sport.
The transfer was ratified by the International Paralympic Committee at its latest Governing Board meeting, following an endorsement letter from IBSA.

IBSA had been the governing body of the sport, holding many competitions and development activities for athletes all over the world.

However in 2015, with IBSA’s backing, World Shooting Para Sport began research into a sports specific classification system and has held several competitions of its own. The aim is to develop it as a discipline that would sit alongside existing competitions for shooters with physical impairments.

Jannie Hammershoi, IBSA President, said: “After a period of great work by World Shooting Para Sport in collaboration with IBSA’s shooting committee, we are confident they have the resources and drive needed to take it forward as the specific global governing body.

“We are really happy to hand them the baton for this great sport of skill and accuracy, and appreciate their commitment to including athletes with visual impairments.

“IBSA will always be on hand to support with expertise, grassroots development and our specific but wide network. We are excited to see shooting go from strength-to-strength in the coming years.”

Tyler Anderson, World Shooting Para Sport Manager, said: “We are thrilled to have vision impaired shooting join our family and open the door for more athletes to compete in our fantastic sport.
 
“We thank IBSA and the many individuals who made this possible for their tremendous contributions and we look forward to the first competition in Hannover.”
 
Ferrol van Hoeven, World Shooting Para Sport Technical Committee Head of Technical, said: “The start of vision impaired shooting within World Shooting Para Sport is the result of teamwork and individual interest in our high performing sport. Especially when two sport organisations open the door for creative and dedicated solutions you get the highest score.”
 
Athletes with visual impairments use air rifles to fire a series of shots at a stationary target. Shooters use an audio signal to guide them in their aiming, with the audio signal rising in pitch as the point of aim moves nearer to the centre of the target.