The Boccia International Sports Federation has clarified its rules on female participation at all sanctioned events from 2019 ©Getty Images

The Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) has clarified its rules on female participation at all sanctioned events from 2019.

Events including the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, World Opens and regional championships all must comply with a female quota rule.

Boccia does not split its individual events into men's and women's competitions with the rules applying to their team and pairs competitions. 

Each team and pair must include at least one women's player, and at least one female player must play a minimum of one end in each match.

The rules apply to team and pairs events ©Getty Images
The rules apply to team and pairs events ©Getty Images

Failure to comply with this rule will result in that match being forfeited, BISFed said.

In September of last year, BISFed had announced that the female quota would not apply to Regional Opens in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

"However, participating countries are encouraged to consider including more females at Regional Opens," they said. 

"In addition, females who are entered in BISFed-sanctioned competitions from 2019 will be required to play in a minimum number of ends per match. 

"The precise requirements will be announced in due course."