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National classification courses a success

Date: June 4, 2021

Category: General

Two online national classification courses and a webinar that attracted the participation of athletes, classifiers, coaches and administrators from across Asia took place in May.

Held in collaboration with the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) to improve and grow visual impairment classification in the region, part one of an International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) National Classifiers’ Course was held over three weeks.

Joint IBSA Head Classifier Jose L. Doria and Rokiah Omar led the course for which places which had to be expanded because of high demand. A total of 23 applications from 12 countries were received to take part with people joining sessions for east and west Asia. The course concluded with a test.

The courses reached more people being held online, and will mean that more national classifiers can be trained in Asia, helping to capitalise on the legacy of Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. As national classifiers can also train to become international classifiers, the overall classification system will also benefit.

The courses covered the theory of classification. Part two, which deals with the practical elements, will be held in person when travel restrictions ease around the world.

Majid Rashed, President of the APC, said: “Increasing the number of classifiers across all sports is one of the APC’s aims that will support the development of para sport in our region. Thanks to IBSA for driving this forward for visual impairment classifiers. We are delighted so many people took part on the course and we already have a waiting list for the next course.”

Concluding the activities on 22 May was a webinar open to athletes, coaches and National Paralympic Committee staff. The aim of this was to educate attendees and raise awareness of classification.

IBSA international classifiers Helder Costa, Jeanne Derber and joint Head of Classification Ludwig Krabbe led the session which attracted more than 80 participants from 20 countries.

Due to the success of both activities, IBSA will organise at least one webinar a year in every region in the future.

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