Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), concluded his official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which he visited the Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina and held several meetings with government officials.

Parsons arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina after visiting countries in the region, including Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia. His visit was hosted by the Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by President Sabahudin Delalić. During his visit, Parsons toured the newly opened facilities of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Paralympic Committee and met with young para-swimmer Ismail Barlov, who won a silver medal at the recent Paris Paralympic Games in the 50-meter breaststroke.

“I came as the President of the International Paralympic Committee to visit its member organizations, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’m here to establish contact with all relevant authorities and help them understand the importance of Paralympic sports and encourage active cooperation with the Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I already know the Bosnia and Herzegovina national sitting volleyball team, which is an example for many countries. When we started developing sitting volleyball in Brazil, where I come from, Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the countries we looked to and learned from. Now I see you have talented coach Amel Kapa and promising young swimmers Ismail Barlov and Ismail Zulfić, who represent the future, which shows that sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves more. I am aware of the complex structure of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the fact that you don’t have a fully regulated sports law that would best serve athletes,” Parsons emphasized during his visit to the Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Representatives of the Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina briefed Parsons on their work and activities, and he was surprised to learn how much budget the country used to earn two Paralympic medals.

“For the trip to the Paralympic Games, we had 160,000 euros, and we returned with two silver medals. Take, for example, the Croatian Paralympic Committee, which has a budget of 6 million euros and its athletes won four medals. Thanks to the understanding of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton, led by Minister Kenan Magoda, who also attended our successes in Paris, as well as the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports and Minister Sanja Vlaisavljević, we received support that helped our para-athletes compete, which we repaid with two medals,” the Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina explained.

Parsons, along with a delegation including the President of the Paralympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sabahudin Delalić; President of the Croatian Paralympic Committee, Ratko Kovačević; President of the Paralympic Committee of North Macedonia, Branimir Jovanovski; and President of the Paralympic Committee of Serbia, Zoran Mičović, attended a reception with Member of the Presidency Željko Komšić. During the visit, they discussed the current situation in para-sports and the need for systemic organization of sports through legal solutions to ensure rights and equality for athletes with disabilities.

A working meeting was also held with the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sanja Vlaisavljević, at the Olympic Museum. During the meeting, they discussed activities aimed at improving para-sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports was also recognized for helping to equip the new facilities of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Paralympic Committee.

“Thanks to the Centar Municipality and Mayor Mandić, who provided the premises for use; the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton, led by Minister Magoda; and the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports, we now have modern, functional spaces that will serve the Paralympic Committee in the future,” the Bosnia and Herzegovina Paralympic Committee noted.

At the end of his visit, Parsons, along with the delegation of regional Paralympic associations, toured Sarajevo’s landmarks, including Vijećnica and the Trebević Cable Car. During this time, he expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality and his desire to return as soon as possible.