Boccia’s David Hadfield gets Paralaympic Order

The Worldwide Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons has introduced David Hadfield MBE, former President of World Boccia, together with his 2023 Paralympic Order on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games.  

The Paralympic Order is the best and most prestigious accolade anybody will be recognised with by the IPC. It’s awarded to people and organisations who’ve made an impressive and long-lasting contribution to the Paralympic Motion. 

Though Hadfield was named as a Paralympic Order recipient final yr, he was unable to attend the 2023 IPC Common Meeting to gather his accolade. In consequence, the IPC President introduced him with the award at South Paris Area, the Paris 2024 boccia venue, following competitors on Sunday.     

David Hadfield MBE served as founding President of World Boccia from September 2012 till March 2023. Nonetheless, his involvement with the game started in 2009. He negotiated the separation of boccia from the Cerebral Palsy Worldwide Sports activities and Recreation Affiliation (CPISRA) to create a standalone Worldwide Sports activities Federation which counts membership throughout 73 nations.  

Andrew Parsons, IPC President mentioned: “There is no such thing as a higher honour as IPC President than to recognise people who’ve made excellent contributions to the Paralympic Motion with the Paralympic Order. 

“In simply over one decade, David Hadfield spearheaded the transformation of boccia from a small sport inside CPISRA to a thriving impartial federation and one of many quickest rising Paralympic sports activities. The evolution of World Boccia because of David’s efforts has been nothing in need of exceptional.” 

The primary Paralympic Order was introduced in 1994.