IPC to conduct extensive governance review

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is to launch an extensive review of its governance structures for the first time since 2004 with the aim of strengthening its position as a world leading sports organisation.

The purpose of the review is to assess the decision-making structures within the IPC, and to make recommendations on any changes to the IPC constitution, rules and bylaws.

To conduct the review, the IPC Governing Board has appointed a working group led by IPC Vice President Duane Kale. The eight-strong person group will start work in May and features representatives from all regions, as well as athlete and sport representatives. Independent sports governance expert and sports lawyer Maria Clarke will act as the group’s vice chairperson.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “When I was elected IPC President, I committed to make the IPC an organisation for all and to fully unlock the potential of the Paralympic Movement. In order to achieve this it is vital the IPC has in place the best and most up-to-date sports governance structures so that it is well positioned for further development and growth in the years ahead.

“We are fortunate that we start this review from a position of strength. The current IPC governance structures are far from broken, but since the last governance review in 2004 the IPC and Paralympic Movement have grown beyond all recognition. With tremendous growth, comes greater responsibility, interest and scrutiny. Therefore, we must ensure that the IPC is an organisation with best practice and robust governance at its core.”

Duane Kale added: “This governance review will go beyond matters of structures, integrity and ethical standards to include other good governance principles such as openness and accountability.

“We have a responsibility to the IPC membership and all the Para athletes that we serve to strengthen the IPC’s position as a strong and highly respected world leading sports organisation.

“To conduct this review we have assembled a very strong working group that will provide input from all areas of the Paralympic Movement. I am particularly happy to have secured the support and services of Maria Clarke, as she boasts extensive experience in this area, having previously advised many other international federations on governance and integrity reform.”

The working group will commence work in May and the proposed framework for the governance review will be presented to IPC members at September’s IPC Membership Gathering in Madrid, Spain. If any constitutional changes are recommended, then it is anticipated that these will be presented at the 2019 IPC General Assembly.

Members of the Governance Review Working Group are as follows:

• Duane Kale (Chairperson) - IPC Vice President

• Maria Clarke (Vice Chairperson) – International sports governance expert and lawyer

• Emmanuelle Assmann – President NPC France

• Xavier González – IPC Chief Executive Officer

• Sabrina Ibáñez – President of Association of Paralympic Sports (ASPO) and FEI Secretary General

• Luca Pancalli – IPC Governing Board Member and President of NPC Italy

• Yerlan Suleimenov – Executive Director NPC Kazakhstan

• Josh Vander Vies – Canadian two-time Paralympian and lawyer

Leen Coudenys – IPC Governing Board Executive Assistant is the Group secretary.