The first major global 3x3 wheelchair basketball competition will take place at the Games in Thailand ©IWAS

The first 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships will be held during next year's International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games in Thailand.

An open tournament for men and women will be staged during the Games in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima.

The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) said the events "will not have any qualification tournaments" and be "open to all IWBF's member national teams who are interested in participating".

The competitions are taking place over three days during the IWAS World Games, scheduled to run from February 20 to 28.

"I am delighted that we are able to announce the first ever Open 3x3 World Championships for national teams in wheelchair basketball," said IWBF President Ulf Mehrens.

"To be able to host a major event in 3x3 is extremely important and allows us to continue to grow our sport across the world, and widen our network of athletes, supporters and stakeholders.

"Working with a well-established partner in IWAS, and having Thailand as the host country, we know it will be an extremely well-run event."

IWAS President Rudi Van Den Abbeele said he was "delighted" to have 3x3 basketball at the Games.

3x3 basketball will be among the sports on the programme at the 2020 IWAS World Games ©IWAS
3x3 basketball will be among the sports on the programme at the 2020 IWAS World Games ©IWAS

The first Wheelchair Basketball World Championships were part of the International Stoke Mandeville Games Committee, now called the IWAS.

"The IWAS World Games are the perfect platform for developing disciplines and initiatives such as 3x3, as they have been for many other sports over the years," said Den Abbeele.

"The exciting and diverse programme offers athletes and teams the chance to test themselves on a world stage and showcase their potential. 

"With our wide membership we hope that this event will help in the development of 3x3 and support an even more positive and fruitful relationship in the years to come."

Archery, athletics, badminton, track cycling, wheelchair fencing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, shooting, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair tennis are also set to feature on the IWAS World Games programme.

The Games are expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes from 50 countries.

The event is the biggest on the IWAS calendar and has featured the international debut of many athletes who have gone on to become Paralympic, world and regional champions, and medallists.