Spain have withdrawn from hosting this year's Powerchair Hockey European Championships©Facebook

Spain have pulled out of hosting this year's Powerchair Hockey European Championships, it has been announced.

The event had bee due to take place in Alcobendas, 13 kilometres north of Madrid, from July 10 to 17.

They had been awarded the event in May 2015. 

The draw for the Championships had been due to take place on Wednesday (February 17) but was postponed at short notice.

It has been now revealed on the event's Facebook page that the event has been cancelled. 

The IPCH, the umbrella group for the sport under the auspices of the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation, claimed they had tried to resolve the problems.

"Organisational issues, communication misunderstanding and political changing in the Municipality administration brought them to this decision," the IPCH said.

"IPCH tried really hard to do everything possible to change this decision, but in the end the only option was to accept the decision."

Hosts Spain were set to be among the teams competing in the Powerchair Hockey European Championships but the event now faces an uncertain future after the sudden decision not to hold it in Alcobendas ©Facebook
Hosts Spain were set to be among the teams competing in the Powerchair Hockey European Championships but the event now faces an uncertain future after the sudden decision not to hold it in Alcobendas ©Facebook

The future of this year's Championship is now in the balance.

"Right now IPCH is trying to find a different hosting solution and we are open to suggestions," the governing body said.

"IPCH put the deadline to 1st March to communicate if cancel the EC or assign it to another hosting Organising Committee."

The disappointment of several countries was expressed on the IPCH's Facebook page.

"The German National team as well as the German wheelchair sports federation deeply regret this annulation," said one message.

"Hopefully, we'll meet soon for the next EC."

Belgium, beaten finalists at the last edition of the Championships, held in 2012, reigning bronze medallists Finland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and host country Spain were all due to take part in the tournament.

Under its former name, electric wheelchair hockey, powerchair hockey was one of nine new sports or disciplines to apply for inclusion at Tokyo 2020, only to fail to make it through to the final stage.

It was eliminated along with powerchair football, 3x3 intellectually impaired basketball, amputee football, one person multi-hull sailing, blind match racing sailing and 3x3 wheelchair basketball.

Only badminton and taekwondo were ultimately approved by the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board.