Equipo editorial

Students who are blind or vision impaired at the University of Cadi Ayyad in Marrakech were introduced to blind tennis as part of an introductory session organized by the regional university sports program for the 2024-25 school year. University students were given the opportunity to try out blind and visually impaired tennis and sign up in the university’s first adaptive sports program. Mr Mahir Samir, IBTA President and Mr Diouane Essaid, Blind Tennis Coach, led an introductory session on this discipline which enables vision impaired students to enjoy their favourite sport. Whether it’s through blind tennis or adaptive sport, everyone can achieve their full potential on a tennis court.

The International Blind Tennis Association recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on December 3rd and promotes full and meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of daily living. IBTA is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are treated with dignity and have every opportunity to reach their full potential on and off the court. Our mission is to engage people who are blind or vision impaired to pursue healthy lifestyles and enable them to be part of active communities worldwide. The annual observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992. This day aims to elevate the understanding of disability issues across all aspects of life, including social and economic contexts. Our organisation remains committed to promoting the rights of people with disabilities and making sports and tennis accessible to all.

The International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) announced its new leadership team for the 2025-26 term. The following members were elected to serve on the IBTA Executive Committee. President: Samir Mahir (USA) Vice President: Anthony Martins Misse (France) Secretary: Jagwe Muzafaru (Uganda) Head of Technical: Simon McFarland (Ireland) Head of Medical: Fanny van den Heuvel (Netherlands) Head of PR and Marketing: Nathalia Benavides (Colombia) Head of Finance: Karolis Verbliugevičius (Lithuania) According to Mahir, “IBTA is going through a transition phase and an important period of growth. I look forward to working closely with our new Executive Committee members to continue building key partnerships, supporting our athletes, and developing our adaptive sport globally.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE19 September 2024 The International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) is proud to announce its partnership with Flexday, a rising enterprise AI company, as its Official Technology Partner. With offices in the U.S., Canada, and India, Flexday brings a global team of AI specialists and data scientists to support IBTA’s mission of making tennis accessible to blind and visually impaired athletes. After careful evaluation, IBTA selected Flexday for its innovative approach to AI and technology- driven solutions that align with the IBTA’s goals of inclusion, fair play, and community engagement. This partnership reflects IBTA’s forward-thinking vision for the future of blind tennis. “Partnering with Flexday is a pivotal step in ensuring that the future of blind tennis incorporates leading-edge technology and innovation,” said Samir Mahir, President of the IBTA. “Accessibility and AI-powered solutions play a crucial role in improving how we manage our operations to support our athletes globally.” Flexday will provide AI-driven solutions that enhance IBTA’s processes, enabling more efficient workflows and player support, thus helping IBTA reach more athletes worldwide. “We are honored to partner with IBTA and contribute to their incredible mission,” said Sujit Goswami, CEO of Flexday. “Our AI solutions are designed to empower organizations, and we’re excited to see how we can support the IBTA in its growth.” About IBTA: The International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) is the global governing body for blind and visually impaired tennis, working with over 25 countries to ensure the sport is accessible to all. Their mission is to promote healthy lifestyles, inclusion, and fair play through adaptive tennis. About Flexday: Flexday is an enterprise AI company based in Naperville, IL, with offices in California, Canada, and India. Flexday’s… Read More »IBTA Partners with Flexday as Official Technology Partner

Over 60 players will participate in the inaugural IBTA European Open Championships in Poland. Athletes from 14 countries and 6 continents have entered the event, which will take place in the city of Grodzisk Mazowiecki, located 50 km from Warsaw. The open tournament, organised by the ‘Foundation We See Differently’, will be held September 14-20, 2024. The open tournament which will serve as a warm-up event for the IBTA World Championships in Italy, allows participation from players from different continents. Matches will be played on 6 courts at the beautiful facility of the Tennis Academy Tenis Kozerki (https://www.teniskozerki.pl/). Players and officials will be staying at the hotel and cottages located on the same property.  

IBTA is pleased to announce its new partnership with printassassins.com as the official distributor of IBTA merchandise. Take advantage of the 15% pre-sale discount on all products by visiting the IBTA Online Shop.

IBTA se complace en anunciar que el Campeonato Mundial de 2024 será organizado en Italia. FISPIC, la Federación Paralímpica Italiana para Personas con Discapacidad Visual, ha sido seleccionada para organizar los campeonatos de este año. El evento tendrá lugar en Lignano Sabbiadoro, ubicado a 95 km (59 millas) del aeropuerto de Venecia. Las fechas del evento son del 25 al 29 de septiembre con la clasificación prevista para los días 23 y 24. El hotel oficial del campeonato es el Bella Italia Efa Village Sport & Family en Lignano Sabbiadoro. ¡Felicitaciones al equipo FISPIC! Más información sobre el evento e inscripciones a continuación.

El Mes Mundial de Concientización sobre la Ceguera es una oportunidad para rendir homenaje a los logros de las personas ciegas o con baja visión y para aumentar el conocimiento público sobre los recursos y servicios disponibles para las personas que experimentan pérdida de visión. IBTA quisiera agradecer a todos nuestros colegas involucrados en el desarrollo y promoción de nuestro deporte en todo el mundo. A continuación se presentan algunas de las iniciativas que se organizaron para promocionar nuestro deporte durante todo el mes. Luxemburgo https://www.rtl.lu/sport/news/a/2129303.html Argentina https://www.facebook.com/groups/ibtatennis/permalink/990315138935321/ https://telenueve.elnueve.com.ar /mediodia/27817-la-conmovedora-historia-de-roberto-rivas-de-campeon-de-automovilismo-tenista-ciego India https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/wellbeing/soundball-the-tennis-game -rompiendo-estereotipos-sobre-los-ciegos-en-india-1.1090082 Alemania https://www.facebook.com/BlindentennisDeutschland/posts/810453751090439 Lituania https://www.ziniuradijas.lt/laidos/labas-milda/ar -gyvenime-tikrai-nera-nieko-neimamono Perú https://fb.watch/n-HW_pzB5P/ Italia https://www.facebook.com/groups/1359388731668727/permalink/1378369066437360/?mibextid=oMANbw

Vodafone, el socio oficial de conectividad de Wimbledon, está probando nuevos auriculares GiveVision con tecnología 5G tanto en la cancha central como en la cancha número 1 del Campeonato de este año. GiveVision mejora la vista restante de las personas con baja visión, permitiéndoles seguir eventos en vivo y disfrutar de la experiencia en el sitio con amigos y familiares. Wimbledon es el primer evento de Grand Slam que es pionero en tecnología de asistencia con Realidad Virtual (VR) que permite a los fanáticos con discapacidad visual ver tenis en vivo como nunca antes. Cada vez más organizaciones están invirtiendo en innovación impulsada por un propósito para brindar beneficios significativos a sus clientes al brindarles una experiencia y una cultura inclusivas. Obtenga más información sobre esta gran iniciativa en: https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2023-07-06/vodafone_5g_gives_visually_impaired_tennis_fans_worldfirst_experience.html

El tenis para ciegos y con discapacidad visual (BVI) se presentó en la Cumbre de Desarrollo de Entrenadores Diversos de la USTA 2023 en Orlando, Florida. La cumbre, celebrada en el Campus Nacional de la USTA, es una reunión de líderes, personas influyentes y defensores comprometidos con la promoción de la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión en nuestro deporte. El objetivo era involucrar a más entrenadoras, apuntar a grupos subrepresentados y ayudar a las comunidades desatendidas. La USTA se centró en atraer e involucrar a diversos proveedores mediante el desarrollo de más entrenadores de tenis certificados, entrenadores comunitarios y desarrolladores de entrenadores. El evento también ofreció talleres de tenis para ciegos en la cancha dirigidos por David Dilettuso (USBTA) y Samir Mahir (IBTA). Más de 70 entrenadores de todo Estados Unidos asistieron a la cumbre de 2023.