Bassam Qasrawi Obituary, Death – The death of Dr. Bassam Qasrawi of Kuwait, a former head of classification for World Para Powerlifting and a recipient of the Paralympic Order of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), has shocked both World Para Powerlifting and the IPC. IPC President Andrew Parsons presented Dr. Qasrawi with the Paralympic Order at the IPC’s 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner in Bonn, Germany, in 2019.
The greatest honor in the Paralympic Movement for a non-athlete is the Paralympic Order. The honorees are those who have demonstrated exceptional Paralympic values through their deeds, produced noteworthy advancements in Paralympic sport, or provided outstanding contributions to the Paralympic cause. In 1963, while Sir Ludwig Guttmann was the chairman of the Medical Committee in Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain, Qaswari began his involvement in the Paralympic Movement. In those nations, he was appointed Chairman of the Medical & Classification Committee for Sport for the Disabled.
Qasrawi, who helped form the Kuwait Disabled Sport Club, was inspired to grow Para sport in his own country. As a result, he volunteered there as the club’s medical and classification officer and has stoically done so ever since. In addition to his charity work, he served as a top international classifier for parapowerlifting, paraathletics, and parafencing. He was appointed Head of Classification for the World Para Powerlifting Sport Technical Committee in 2012.
Dr. Bassam Qaswari stated after obtaining the Paralympic Order in 2019: When I think back on my career, it has been the greatest honor for me to be active with parasports and to encourage athletes to start training all over the world. Receiving the Paralympic Order is extremely exceptional, and I am deeply moved.
