APSO created following General Assembly

Members of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted on a joint International Federations (IFs)/IPC motion to establish a body that would represent the independent sports in the Paralympic Movement. Confirmed at the IPC General Assembly in Mexico City held 14-15 November, the new organisation will be called the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO).

APSO will be an independent association, bringing together IFs that govern sports at the summer and winter Paralympic Games programmes. The role of APSO will be to unite, promote and support International Federations governing sports on the programmes of both Paralympic Games and to coordinate their common interests and goals.

To achieve this, APSO will:

• Discuss matters of common interest and determine the consensus of APSO Members on matters related to the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic movement.

• Advocate for the common interests of APSO Members in the context of both Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Movement.

• Determine the distribution among APSO Members of grants from the IPC and any other Paralympic Games related revenues.

• Advise the IPC on membership fees for APSO Members.

• Consider and facilitate the preparation of motions to the IPC General Assembly by APSO Members.

• Consider and support nominations to the IPC Governing Board, standing committees, and councils by APSO Members.

• Appoint representatives to Commissions, boards and other organisations where APSO is invited to have representation.

• Exchange best practices and expertise among APSO Members and with other organisations in the Paralympic Movement.

• Provide advice and input to the IPC regarding codes, rules, and regulations related to the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Movement.

• Provide input to IPC and other major games organisations regarding common expectations and delivery standards for multi-sport events which include athletes with an impairment.

The working group of Mark Bullock (International Tennis Federation), Carole Hicks (World Archery), Eron Main (International Wheelchair Rugby Federation), Maureen Orchard (International Wheelchair Basketball Federation) Henk van Aller (International Blind Sports Association) are taking steps to formally set up the new body and arrange the first meeting.