International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball has announced the hosts for its Asia/Pacific, youth and European group C Championships to take place in 2019.

Headlining the new additions to the calendar is the 2019 IBSA Goalball Asia/Pacific Championships in Chiba, Japan, from 2-11 December – just eight months before the country hosts the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

It will be one of the most important competitions of the year because the winners will qualify for the Paralympics. Around eight men’s and six women’s teams will compete as the Japanese public get a taste of goalball.

Ahead of Chiba 2019, the latest youth World Championships which will take place in Penrith, Australia, from 2-10 August.

Sixteen girls and boys teams are expected to compete for world titles for players ages of 19 and under.

The competition aims to give countries the chance to test their young players and develop the sport around the world.

Finally the 2019 IBSA Goalball European Championships C head to L’Aquila, Italy, from 27 October – 3 November.

As well as the title on offer, the medallists will be promoted to the B pool for 2020.

Kari Rasanen, Chairperson of the IBSA Goalball Committee, said: “2019 will be an exciting year and we are pleased to confirm these additions to the calendar.

“The youth World Championships in particular are an important milestone for goalball. We know the interest and need is out there for another high level competition for young players, so we hope that it is well supported.

“The most anticipated event however will be the Asia/Pacific Championships. What better place to host a tournament of this importance than in the host country of the next Paralympics. We look forward to using the opportunity to welcome lots of new fans to the sport.

“I would like to thank all the Local Organising Committees for their work in delivering what I am sure will be excellent events.”

The three competitions join the 2019 IBSA Goalball and Judo Qualification Tournament in Fort Wayne, USA, from 1-9 July and the 2019 IBSA Goalball European Championships A in Rostock, Germany, from 5-14 October. Both offer teams the chance to qualify for Tokyo 2020.

Goalball will also feature at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru, from 23 August – 1 September.