UK Sport and IPC Sign Memorandum of Understanding on International Development

"Over time, the shared sporting spirit of our two organizations has become apparent and, through this partnership, I hope that we can continue to support the development of the Paralympic Movement worldwide."

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday (26 May) to recognize a three year international development partnership between the two organizations.

The partnership agreement will see the two organizations continue to work closely together to support the development of the Paralympic Movement internationally through several initiatives and areas of collaboration.

UK Sport has been involved in leading International Sport Development activities in over 18 different countries, mainly within Southern Africa. At the heart of this development work has been the belief that the UK should play a role in increasing opportunities for young people in developing countries to participate in sport.

The main purpose of the partnership with the IPC is to enhance the capability and capacity of National Paralympic Committees worldwide, with particular focus on region of East Africa and Portuguese speaking nations in preparation for Rio 2016, as well as to model best practice in the areas of grassroots sports development, talent pathways for children and young people with disabilities and educational resources to support coaching and teaching of disability sport.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven, said: “It is fantastic to be able to formalize the partnership between the International Paralympic Committee and UK Sport through this Memorandum of Understanding.

“Over time, the shared sporting spirit of our two organizations has become apparent and, through this partnership, I hope that we can continue to support the development of the Paralympic Movement worldwide.”

UK Sport Chair, Baroness Sue Campbell, said: “We were delighted to welcome Sir Philip Craven to UK Sport today to sign the MoU before our board members, in order to further cement the relationship between us and the IPC.

“The work of UK Sport in leading International Development activity is making real difference to lives across the world, in particular around high quality and inclusive sport and physical education.”

Notes to the Editor:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 170 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

For further information, please contact Craig Spence, IPC Media and Communications Senior Manager on e-mail: craig.spence@paralympic.org or call +49-228-2097-230. Alternatively, please visit www.paralympic.org or www.ParalympicSport.TV.