The International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS) and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have signed a memorandum of understanding, in hopes of working together to continue the development and reach of ParaHockey (ID).
The MOU outlines both INAS’ and FIH’s commitment to promoting ParaHockey within its members. In order to do this, both organisations will conduct an audit to establish the current number of players and the existing interest in the sport.
With the FIH ParaHockey Rules already in place, INAS will now work to develop and manage an eligibility process for athletes with an intellectual disability. A provisional eligibility system is in place now, but a more extensive one will be created in time.
Both FIH and INAS will also work together to develop a sustainable competition pathway for ParaHockey, and will jointly manage the organisation and scheduling of such competitions.
This MOU is the first step in the road to including ParaHockey in the Paralympic Games.
Photograph: Members of the FIH Executive Board at the 42nd FIH Congress after the signing of the MOU