Sheffield has won the right to host the Goalball World Championships in 2010 and the European Fencing Championships in 2011.

The Goalball World Championships 2010 will be held from 18 - 25 June 2010.

Goalball a sport that was invented in 1946 in an effort to help rehabilitate blind war veterans and it became a sport played at the Paralympics in 1976.

The European Fencing Championships is the second largest senior fencing competition in the world, and the event in July 2011 will attract 700-800 competitors and coaches from 40 nations.

Both events will take place in the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield (EIS Sheffield), which is located in the Don Valley and managed by Sheffield International Venues.

Welcoming the news, Cllr Sylvia Dunkley, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Streetscene from Sheffield City Council said:

"Local people in Sheffield can be really proud of the fact that their city will be hosting these two fantastic sporting events. It's been a competitive process to bring these events to the city. It will mean world class athletes will be staying and competing in Sheffield, which is great for local hotels, shops and businesses and the city's profile.

"Sheffield has a great track record for attracting major sporting events to the city, and landing these two events is another feather in Sheffield's cap.

"It's also an accolade for Sheffield's involvement and commitment to disability sport. Seven of Sheffield's sporting facilities are included in London 2012's pre-games training camp guide for the Paralympic Games, out of only 11 in the whole of Yorkshire."

Neil Jenkinson, Head of Culture and Major Events at Yorkshire Forward commented:

"With the Snooker World Championships and now the European Fencing Championships and the World Goalball Championships, Sheffield is really making a name for itself as a centre for national and international sporting events. Hosting these events not only brings new visitors to the city, it also helps to raise its profile – which in turn can attract new investors and businesses."