SAMBO and Bowls Join the IPC-Recognized International Federations

With the approval of the SAMBO and Bowls federations’ membership, the number of international sports federations officially recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has increased to 15.

According to the Public Relations office of the Veterans and Disabled Sports Federation and quoting both the National Paralympic Committee and the official IPC website, the IPC has accepted membership requests from the International SAMBO Federation and the World Bowls Federation as recognized international federations.

The IPC announced that both federations have committed to expanding their activities specifically in the field of sports for people with disabilities and increasing the number of their national member federations that provide sports for this athlete group.

The World Bowls Federation’s IPC membership is currently conditional, pending the completion of a merger process with the “International Bowls for Disabled” organization.

Currently, the International SAMBO Federation has 101 national member federations, with 20 countries offering SAMBO for athletes with visual impairments. The World Bowls Federation has over 60 national members and provides opportunities for athletes with physical or visual disabilities in 17 countries.

IPC Requirements for Recognition:

To be accepted as an IPC-Recognized International Federation, the body must:

Be the sole global governing body for a Paralympic sport

Demonstrate documented activities supporting sports for people with disabilities

Comply with the World Anti-Doping Code and IPC anti-doping standards

Adhere to the IPC Medical-Sports Classification Code

Have formally ratified statutes

Only federations recognized by the IPC as International or Recognized International Federations are eligible to request inclusion of their sports in the Paralympic Games program.

Updated List of IPC-Recognized International Federations:

International Federation of Powerchair Football (FIPFA)

International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation

World Bowling Federation

International CP Football Federation

International Golf Federation

International Handball Federation (IHF)

International Hockey Federation

International SAMBO Federation

International Surfing Association

International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM)

World Armwrestling Federation