The IBSA World Games in Birmingham showcased blind athletes competing in a number of sports including archery.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Hilda Gibson, from Archery GB, to look back at the winners and a new world record.

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As the 7th IBSA World Games drew to a close in Birmingham, RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to the Chief Executive of British Blind Sport to reflect on a successful event.

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Monica Smith who only took up blind tennis 5 years ago sums up how it feels to have won both a gold and a silver medal in the B1 blind tennis at the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 in Birmingham to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey just after Monica received her medals.


Image shows Monica in second place in the women's B1 singles medal ceremony

Chef de Mission of the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 Matt Clayton who is also Chief Executive of Blind Sports Australia tells RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey how the games have gone from his point of view as Chef de Mission and also how the Australian team have fared at the games too.


Image shows Toby interviewing Matt

Finals day on Sunday 27 August 2023 for the Blind Tennis at the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 in Birmingham and a Silver medal for Neil Balmford in the Men’s B3 Singles and RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey managed to catch a few words with Neil just after his silver winning match.


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Although the game of goalball is popular in Germany, there is a need to grow a new generation of players to represent the country in global tournaments.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to the Goalball Women’s Assistant Coach to find out more.

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Aurora Zanolin is the Chair of IBSA Goalball and told RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell about the popularity of the game and the standard of play at this year’s IBSA World Games in Birmingham.

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At the IBSA World Blind Games in Birmingham blind and partially sighted women from England Australia and India came together to compete on the cricket pitch for the first time.

After a week of matches against each other on Saturday 26 August 2023 the final of the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 Women’s Blind Cricket final was held at Edgbaston between Australia and India with a win for India. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was pitch side and caught up with Deepika T C captain of the Indian Women’s Team just after the medal ceremony. 


Image shows Toby interviewing Deepika T C  with her gold medal on the pitch at Edgbaston

Edgbaston, home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club and many test matches came alive on Saturday 26 August 2023 with the IBSA World Blind Games Men’s Cricket final as Pakistan took on India. 

Many runs were scored during the match with a win to Pakistan by 8 wickets and RNIB Connect Radios Toby Davey caught up with, Yousaf Haroon, coach of the Pakistan Team during the pitch celebrations.


Image shows the Pakistan team celebrating on the pitch at Edgbaston

The final of the Women’s Blind Cricket at the IBSA World Games 2023 between India and Australia took place on Saturday 26 August 2023 at Edgbaston home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club and host to many test match cricket finals too.

Sadly a defeat for Australia in the first World Blind Women’s Cricket Championships but a great pairing of Cortney Webeck and Courtney Lewis 30 runs and 29 runs respectively with 3 boundaries between them too. 

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Courtney Lewis just after the Australian Women’s Blind Cricket Team had been awarded their silver medals to find out how the game had gone for her and what it was like playing on the Edgbaston pitch in the first Women’s World Blind Cricket final.


Image shows Toby interviewing Courtney as Edgbaston