Eric Kersten, right, said Rotterdam can "guarantee top quality" venues for the European Para Championships ©EPC

European Para Championships (EPC) founder Eric Kersten has said that the inaugural host of the multi-sport event fits its "DNA and long-term goals".

Para cycling, Para archery, Para badminton, wheelchair tennis, boccia, goalball, wheelchair basketball, Para judo, Para shooting and Para taekwondo are set to feature on the programme for the first EPC in the the Netherlands from August 8 to 20 this year.

Rotterdam was identified as host in March 2021, and Kersten believes it is equipped to ensure a high-quality first edition is delivered.

"We chose Rotterdam because this city fits the event's DNA and our long-term goals," he said.

"We are going to have the EPC return every four years, in the year preceding the Paralympic Games, in a different large, appealing European city each time.

"If we look at past European Championships of most Paralympic sports, unfortunately they often took place in venues that are not exactly A-status.

"We think these sports deserve better.

"In Rotterdam, with venues in the city centre and in Ahoy, we guarantee top quality.

"Furthermore, the EPC is a tough job in terms of logistics, because we need an awful lot of hotel capacity, for example.

"Rotterdam offers all this."

Eric Kersten identified the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow as
Eric Kersten identified the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow as "the moment when the idea for the European Para Championships was born" ©Getty Images

Kersten admitted it was a challenge to secure support from the Government, host city, International Federations and broadcasters and funding for the EPC, but said organisers had been able to "convince everyone of the unique opportunity to write Para sports history".

The European Paralympic Committee has backed the plans for the EPC, and it is set to serve as a qualification event for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Kersten reflected on the development of the idea of an EPC, and said the initial idea came after the inaugural European Championships in 2018.

"In 2018, the first European Championships took place in Glasgow," he said.

"A multi-sport tournament with several able-bodied sports under one umbrella.

"That's when the penny dropped for me.

"This should also be possible for Para sports.

"In retrospect, I would refer to that as the moment when the idea for the European Para Championships was born."

Organisers have already launched the process for seeking a host for the 2027 edition of the EPC.