Inas considering legal action after "collapse" of Global Games Organising Committee

Legal action is being considered after the "collapse" of the local organisers at the Inas Global Games ©Inas

Legal action is being considered by the International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (Inas) following last week's Inas Global Games in the Ecuadorian towns of Guayaquil, Guaranda and San Miguel.

The possible move comes following a host of logistical problems, including the apparent collapse of the local Organising Committee.

The Federación Ecuatoriana de Deportes Para personas con Discapacidad Intelectual (FEDEDI), contractually responsible for the full financing and delivery of the quadrennial event, reportedly informed Inas on the day of the Opening Ceremony how they were no longer in a financial position to deliver the Games.

Despite this causing "multiple and substantial problems" it was decided to press ahead with the event to ensure the 32 competing delegations had not made the journey to Ecuador's capital in vain.

Inas therefore "immediately assumed" a full operational delivery role and began to put in place strategies to ensure "successful delivery of the full competition programme".

At times, they claim, it seemed the "mission to deliver the Games was impossible, such was the level of failure of the local organisers".

Certain areas – including the communication of results – were allegedly inhibited.

Given these circumstances, it was a "remarkable achievement" for the action to take place, according to Inas, who say it was "only possible thanks to the combined efforts of so many people" with the Ecuadorian Sports Ministry singled out for particular praise.

"In the days, weeks and months ahead, there will be much analysis of the fourth Inas Global Games," a statement said today.

"Inas is already taking legal advice in respect of the failure of the Local Organising Committee, the circumstances surrounding the host organisation (FEDEDI) and in particular, the actions of its President Juan Carlos Araujo."

Swimming action during the Inas Global Games ©Inas

Almost 600 athletes from 32 nations competed in the fourth edition of the Games, which ended on Sunday (September 27) and included competition in athletics, basketball, cycling, futsal, indoor rowing, swimming, table tennis, tennis and – for the first time – taekwondo.

As well as the financial problems, other challenges involved the movement of athletics, basketball, swimming and table tennis events less than three weeks before action began due to the nearby Cotopaxi volcano showing signs of an eruption.

Inas expressed its thanks to all the delegations who participated, adding: "To the medal winners and all the athletes, Inas congratulates them on their performances, and to the many friends who made the Games possible in the most difficult of circumstances, Inas says thank you."

It is not yet clear who finished top of the overall medals table, although more information and results are expected to be released soon.

The first World Games for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability were held in Harnosand, Sweden, in 1989 with the inaugural Global Games also taking place in Sweden, in Bollnas in 2004, with more than 1,000 athletes present.

A 2019 edition has already been awarded to Brisbane in Australia.

FEDEDI has yet to comment.