San Luis to host 2017 CP Football World Championships

The International Federation for Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) awarded the IFCPF 2017 Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships to San Luis, Argentina. The Championships will be held 3-22 September 2017.

In its bid document, the Argentinian Federation of Sports for People with Cerebral Palsy wrote:

“Federations in charge of disabled sports in Argentina have gained a better knowledge about these sports as something more important than a simple physical activity. Thanks to our Federations and with the support of the Argentinian Paralympic Committee, many projects were carried out in regular and special schools, day care centres, [rehabilitation]centres and other places where people could become aware of the importance of this topic. This spirit drove us to create a solid structure for these sports, with new regulations and staff capable of organising sport events such as: leagues, Championships, international meetings or many other activities that help sports for disabled people.

"Our intention is to foster this spirit, and that is why Argentinian Federation of Sports for People with Cerebral Palsy [FADEPAC], the Argentinian Federation of Cerebral Palsy football [FAFPC] and the Argentinian Paralympic Committee [COPAR] want to organise the IFCPF 2017 CP Football World Championships.”

"FADEPAC and FAFPC have worked with great motivation to place CP football at a high level. We have grown in the last years to reach high level clubs, players and coaches; today we have three National Teams:

Senior Team

U 18-Team

U 16-Team

We also have six local leagues, eight development schools and national tournaments, both recreational and professional. Three years ago, we only had four clubs, two coaches and 30 players.

We are proud to promote that people with disabilities could discover, enjoy and live sport to its peak."

The Argentina coach Osvaldo Hernández is proud that his country has the opportunity to host the football 7-a-side event. In a personal message to IFCPF President Sandy Hermiston he stated: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude for choosing Argentina to host the IFCPF 2017 CP Football World Championships in San Luis. I believe the philosophy of the IFCPF fully agrees with our way of working.”

The World Championships return to Argentina for the first time since 2003, when they were held in Buenos Aires.

More information on the 2017 Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships can be found on the IFCPF’s website.