Romania to host 2017 blind football European qualifier

Bacau, Romania, has been announced as the host city for the 2017 International Blind Football Federation (IBSA) Blind Football European Qualifier and Division 2 Championships from1-9 April.

It is the first time an official IBSA blind football competition will take place in the European country, with the champions and runners-up qualifying for the 2017 IBSA Blind Football European Championships in Berlin, Germany, in August 2017.

The entry fee for the tournament is between EUR 525-550 per participant, including capitation fees, accommodation, all meals and local transport.

The tournament is open to all IBSA member countries in Europe, with the exception of Turkey, Spain, Great Britain, Russia*, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium, who have already qualified for the 2017 Europeans.

This will also be the first IBSA Blind Football European Division 2 event, showing a strong development in the region in recent years and reflecting the growing number of national teams in Europe.

European IBSA member countries interested in taking part are asked to complete the expression of interest form on IBSA´s website and return it to sallywoodlamont@gmail.com and football.eurdev@ibsasport.org by 15 January 2017.

More information is available on IBSA´s website.

*Editor’s note: The International Paralympic Committee suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee on 7 August for its inability to fulfil its IPC membership responsibilities and obligations, in particular its obligation to comply with the IPC Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code (to which it is also a signatory). As a result of the suspension, Russian athletes cannot enter IPC sanctioned events or competitions, including the Paralympic Games. For further information please click here: https://www.paralympic.org/russian-paralympic-committee-suspension