#IFDS – On the eve of the International Federation for Disabled sailing (IFDS) World Sailing Championships being staged in Kinsale, County Cork next month, its President, Irish Paralympian John Twomey, has warned of the potential bankruptcy of the world body arising out of substantial legal costs incurred in an action over the results of the Sonar class at the London 2012 Paralymics.
Writing in the association's latest newsletter Twomey, who became IFDS president at last November's ISAF world sailing conference in Dublin, says the costs involved are 'a major problem for IFDS as we do not currently have sufficient funds to pay for the fees and costs incurred without third party assistance'.
Twomey goes on to say 'the insufficiency of funds could in turn lead to the Executive Committee having to place IFDS in bankruptcy'.
IFDS met with ISAF in London on 2 July 2013 to discuss the possible integration of both organisations. The situation is ongoing, according to the Kinsale based President.
In the recent case, Twomey writes the Arbitrator upheld IFDS's initial contention that CAS lacked jurisdiction in this case and the result of the Sonar class at the London 2012 Paralympic stand. The arbitrator also ruled that the British Paralympic Association (BPA) must reimburse the other parties for the substantial fees paid to CAS, but that each party must pay its own legal fees and costs. In addition to legal fees, IFDS has incurred substantial costs for witness travel and other expenses.
To date entries have been received from 19 countries in the One-Person Keelboat, 2.4mR; 4 countries in the Two-Person Keelboat, SKUD18 and 12 countries in the Three-Person Keelboat, Sonar for the IFDS world championships to be held at Twomey's home waters of Kinsale in August.
Separately, this week the Irish Paralympic team signed a four year sponsorship deal with Providence Resources for the Rio Games.
