The Powerchair Hockey European Championships have been cancelled ©IFF

Next year's Powerchair Hockey European Championships have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Competition was originally scheduled to take place in Pajulahti in Finland from June 1 to 8 this year.

It was postponed to May 31 to June 7 2021 as a result of the global health crisis, with International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Powerchair Hockey and the Organising Committee hopeful the delay would allow the unrestricted participation of all athletes.

The European Championships have now had to be cancelled, however, following discussions with each of the countries involved in the tournament. 

Meetings took place in October and were attended by IWAS Powerchair Hockey technical delegate Anna Rossi, assistant technical delegate Aina Budde and secretary Kenny Verbraekel.

Finland had been due to host the Powerchair Hockey European Championships next year ©IWAS
Finland had been due to host the Powerchair Hockey European Championships next year ©IWAS

Most countries reported logistical and financial challenges, with several considering withdrawing from the European Championships as a result. 

It was decided the withdrawal of teams would endanger the financial feasibility of hosting the competition and cause an increase in fees for other participants. 

Following the decision to cancel the European Championships, IWAS Powerchair Hockey claimed it was "working hard" to minimise the effects of the cancellation and would soon announce the host of the 2022 Powerchair Hockey World Championships. 

A number of other IWAS events have also had to be moved due to coronavirus, including the IWAS World Games and Wheelchair Fencing World Championships.