IPC Governing Board to Meet in Guangzhou, China

This weekend the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) Governing Board will meet for the third time this year in Guangzhou, China, prior to the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Asian Para Games.

Taking place from 10-12 December, the IPC Governing Board will be presented with a list of items to discuss and approve including the IPC’s Strategic Plan for 2010-2014 and budgets for 2011 corporate plans.

On Saturday afternoon the Board will also decide which sports should be included in the Programme for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Seven new sports, in addition to the 20 sports that make up the existing programme, are vying for places in the 2016 Programme and a decision is expected at about 16.00 (Beijing Time).

Other items on the agenda to be discussed include the Post Games Report on the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, IPC Sports Governance, as well as reports and recommendations from IPC Standing Committees.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven said: “I am looking forward to meeting again in China, following the successful Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and now on the occasion of the 2010 Asian Para Games.

“The IPC Governing Board has a number of major decisions to make this weekend, such as approving the new Strategic Plan and the Rio 2016 Sports Programme, both of which will have a major influence on the direction of the Paralympic Movement for years to come.”

The IPC Governing Board includes 10 Members at Large, President Sir Philip Craven, Vice President Mr. Greg Hartung, Athletes’ Representative Mr. Robert Balk and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Xavier Gonzalez. Two Members at Large Alan Dickson and Miguel Sagarra will be unable to attend the meeting.

The Governing Board is the representative of the IPC Membership, elected at the General Assembly in accordance with nomination and election procedures adopted by the IPC Membership at the 2004 Extraordinary General Assembly. The GB is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the IPC in between meetings of the General Assembly.

The current Governing Board was elected at the IPC General Assembly in November 2009.