IJF and IBSA Sign a Cooperation Agreement
Last Monday, September 29th, 2014, the President of the International Judo Federation, Marius Vizer, was honored to meet the President of IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation, its acronym in English), Jannie Hammershoi, and the executive director of the organization, Neil Donovan, in the IJF’s presidential office located in Budapest. The purpose of this visit was the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the IJF and IBSA.
On the occasion of the first edition of the Grand Prix Judo in Budapest held last June, an agreement had already been signed between the IJF and IBSA ‘s Committee for the Blind Judo but this new memorandum signed by both presidents aims to strengthen the cooperation between their respective organizations at a higher level. Their collaboration’s goal is running together the development of the universal judo, which is quite different from their previous independent activities.
In particular:
- Build a regular dialogue between IJF and IBSA
- Spread the Judo worldwide.
- Synchronize and coordinate the preparation of athletes as well as train coaches and referees.
- Develop a graphic look for the mass media.
- Enable the common organization of competitions and events.
IBSA was the only official representative of judo for the blind and visually impaired athletes since its foundation in 1981 and it is responsible for the Paralympic Games. Judo is one of IBSA’s most iconic sports, whose duty is to spread and develop the sport for the blind and visually impaired athletes worldwide.
IJF, as the sole legal representative of judo in the world, aims to spread the sport through its activities regarding the education, promotion, staff training, organizing annual competitions, including the Olympic Judo events since its founding in 1951.
