IBSA is pleased to announce the newly selected members of the IBSA Showdown Sport Committee. This dedicated team will work to advance the development, promotion, and organization of showdown on a global scale. Representing diverse regions and areas of expertise, the committee is committed to elevating the sport and fostering opportunities for visually impaired athletes.

The members of the IBSA Showdown Sport Committee are:

Zdeněk Barlok (Czechia) – IBSA Showdown Chair ([email protected])
Alwin Kempen (Netherlands) – Referee Representative
Stephan Duetsch (Switzerland) – Tournament and Events Organizing Committee Representative
Akseli Makkonen (Finland) – Coaches Representative
Christoph Eilers (Belgium) – Men Athletes Representative
Piera Folino (Italy) – Women Athletes Representative
Seonyoung Lee (South Korea) – Non-Europe and Asia Representative
Marco Spinelli (Italy) – Statistics and Results Manager

https://ibsasport.org/sports/showdown/committee/

This diverse team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the sport’s growth. Their primary focus will be on supporting athletes, enhancing coaching and officiating standards, and organizing high-quality tournaments to promote showdown worldwide.

Expanding Showdown to New Regions:
Currently, showdown activity is most prominent in Europe and Asia. Recognizing the need for global expansion, IBSA Showdown Chair Zdeněk Barlok is determined to promote the sport in underrepresented regions, particularly Africa and the Americas, and to foster participation in these areas.

IBSA Showdown Chair Zdeněk Barlok says: “We want to host the first Asian Championships in showdown this year in South Korea. We aim to focus on development in non-European countries in order to prepare this non-Paralympic sport for the road to the Paralympic Games in Brisbane, Australia, 2032.”

With this newly selected committee, IBSA is taking a significant step towards the continued development of showdown. Updates on the committee’s initiatives, as well as efforts to expand the sport’s reach, will be shared in the coming months.

Stay tuned for more news and exciting developments in the world of showdown!