"VAN" (Sports Desk - 09.03.2026) :: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced the three outstanding winners of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) Recognition Awards. Lucha Villar Galvez, President of the National Paralympic Committee of Peru (Leadership), Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, First Deputy Chairperson of the National Paralympic Committee of Uzbekistan (Emerging Leadership), and World Para Ice Hockey (IPC Member) were each recognised for their outstanding work on 8 March 2026, International Women’s Day.
The Awards, held since 2013, recognise women and members in the Paralympic Movement who inspire and emulate the Paralympic ideals and serve as positive role models. The winners were chosen by members of the IPC Governing Board following nominations by IPC member organisations.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President said: “I congratulate Lucha, Shakhnoza, and World Para Ice Hockey for their outstanding contributions to advancing women’ inclusion within the Paralympic Movement.
“We are proud to honour Lucha for her tireless commitment to the Movement, not only in Peru and across Latin America but to the global growth and visibility of women in Para sport. Emerging leader Shakhnoza is already championing opportunities for women and girls with disabilities, expanding access to sport and influencing policy. We are excited to see the impact she will continue to make.
“I am especially thrilled that World Para Ice Hockey has been recognised for the second time. The success of the first-ever Women’s World Championships in 2025 is an example of how to develop women’s sport from the grassroots right through to the high-performance level.”
Lucha Villar Galvez said: “I’m honoured to receive the 2026 IPC International Women's Day Recognition award. It’s a celebration of hard work, but more importantly, it’s a celebration of the community of women who make success possible. A win for one woman in Paralympic leadership is a win for every athlete striving for a more inclusive world. I’m deeply honoured to accept this on behalf of NPC Peru.”
Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva said: “I am proud to be part of a movement where sport creates real opportunities and drives meaningful progress.”
World Para Ice Hockey Senior Manager Michelle Laflamme said: “We are deeply honoured to see the progress of women’s Para ice hockey recognised with this award. The inaugural Women’s World Championships in Dolný Kubín marked a historic turning point for our sport — not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a new era. For the first time, women in Para ice hockey had a true world stage, reflecting years of commitment to building pathways where none previously existed.
This recognition belongs to the athletes, coaches, officials and NPCs who have driven this transformation and who continue to push the sport forward. The IPC International Women’s Day Recognition Award reinforces the importance of intentional action to make sport more inclusive. While we are proud of how far we have come, our work is far from finished. Our focus now is on strengthening the global competitive landscape and ensuring women’s Para ice hockey earns its place on the Paralympic Winter Games programme. We are building a future where women are not the exception in our sport, but an integral and permanent part of it.”
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