Former Goalball Player Jannie Hammershøi in Running for IBSA Presidency

May 20, 2013

Jannie Hammershøi is the first candidate to confirm she will stand for the Presidential role at International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).

Hammershøi is a former Danish goalball player and represented her country at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics.

She has put herself forward to replace Michael Barredo, who announced he would not run for a third term in office.

The news was confirmed through Denmark’s National Paralympic Committee (DHIF) and Karl Vihelm Nielssen, President of DHIF said: “Jannie sets herself high standards; she leads by example.

“As a proven team leader, we are confident that Jannie has the required skills, experience and dynamism to lead IBSA forward to meet the challenges faced by the organisation in a changing sporting environment.”

Hammershøi has been on the chair of IBSA Europe since 2010 and was grateful to the DHIF for their recommendation.

She said: “I am delighted to have been nominated as a candidate for the post of IBSA President.

“I am very grateful to Karl-Vilhelm and the Board of DHIF who have shown such faith in me.

“For most of my life I have been involved in every aspect of sport: as an athlete, coach – and now, in sports governance.

“My heart beats with a passion for blind sports and blind athletes.

“I place a high value on being able to draw out the best in people. I know for sure that there are many competent people in IBSA who are capable of working together to meet the diverse needs of blind athletes in every region of the world.

“If we use a structured and strategic approach, there is no doubt that we can reach our full potential in IBSA.

“I look forward to working closely with my blind sports colleagues, if elected.”