Sheffield’s sporting economy has received a major boost with news that one of the leading Paralympic Games sports is set to host its World Championships in the city later this year.

Goalball, a sport developed for the blind or partially sighted, will bring its ninth World Championships to Sheffield in June. It was introduced as a Paralympic sport in 1976 and is now one of the most popular events at the Games.

Hosted every four years, the Championships, which will take place between June 17-25 at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, has the top 16 men’s teams and the top 12 women’s teams taking part from around the world.

Already the Swedish national team has brought over its squads for a training camp at the Sheffield International Venues-managed EISS, in preparation for the tournament.

Coun Sylvia Dunkley, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism from Sheffield City Council, said: “It is really good news that Goalball will be hosting its World Championships in Sheffield.

“We have a strategy to attract major Olympic and Paralympic sporting events to the city, and this is further evidence that it is working. It will be an excellent opportunity for local people to learn more about this increasingly popular sport.”

The sport is played on a volleyball sized court with a goal of 5-a-side football height running all the way along the endlines. Three players from each team protect the goal by placing their bodies in the way of a ball similar in size to a basketball.

All players have to wear shades to block out any light. The ball, which often travels up to speeds of 60 miles per hour, is located by the players by listening for a bell inside it.

The event is being supported with up to £234,000 from UK Sport’s Lottery funded World Class Events Programme.

Lucy Crickmore, Events Consultant for UK Sport, said: “In hosting this event, Great Britain will gain automatic entry into the men’s and women’s competition, giving both teams a fantastic opportunity to compete on home soil ahead of London 2012 and to improve their world rankings.

“It is the first time that the UK has staged a major Goalball championships, giving over 100 volunteers and officials a fantastic development opportunity to build capacity ahead of the Paralympic Games.”

The World Championships are the largest event within the sport’s calendar. Jim Leask, President of the IBSA Goalball Committee, said Sheffield beat competition from across the world to win the Championships:

“We had unprecedented interest in hosting the Goalball World Championships from Turkey, Denmark, The Netherlands, Malaysia and England and the bids which we received were of the highest quality.

“The Sheffield bid won on the strength of the cities sporting facilities, the city’s character and commitment from the city and government agencies. It is clear Sheffield will make an ideal host for the 9th World Goalball Championships.”

Keith Lound, from British Blind Sport Goalball, said: “I’m delighted the bid has been successful. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Sheffield and introducing the game to many more people, both visually impaired and sighted, across the country.”

The event is being supported by British Blind Sport, UK Sport, Sheffield City Council and Yorkshire Forward.