This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2013) |
Highest governing body | |
---|---|
Characteristics | |
Mixed-sex | No |
Type | Indoor |
Presence | |
Paralympic | 1960 |
Wheelchair basketball is a style of basketball played using a sports wheelchair.[1] The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the governing body for this sport.[2] It is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as the sole competent authority in wheelchair basketball worldwide. FIBA has recognized IWBF under Article 53 of its General Statutes.[3]
The IWBF has 95 National Organizations for Wheelchair Basketball (NOWBs) participating in wheelchair basketball throughout the world, with this number increasing each year. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people play wheelchair basketball from recreation to club play and as elite national team members.[4]
Wheelchair basketball is included in the Paralympic Games. The Wheelchair Basketball World Championship is played two years after every Paralympic Games. Major competition in wheelchair basketball comes from Canada, Australia, the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Japan.