· The project will strengthen Para
sports in Guatemala, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago
· Latest project means a third of the
National Paralympic Committees in Latin America and the Caribbean region will
have received development support
· IDB investment in Para sport as a
tool for social inclusion in the Americas now tops USD 1.5 million
The Inter-American Development Bank
(IDB) has contracted the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as part of
the USD $190,000 programme to grow and strengthen Para sport in Guatemala,
Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago.
The initiative, which starts
immediately and runs until the end of 2024, sees NPC Colombia mentor the three
nations, while the IPC will provide consultation to develop an institutional
plan that will strengthen each of the participating NPCs. Additionally, the IPC will coordinate and
implement activities for an intra-regional exchange of knowledge and best
practices with local leaders and representatives from the NPCs.
This project is the third funded
initiative of the IDB and the IPC to use Para sport as a tool of social
inclusion in the Americas region. Since 2017 the pair have partnered twice on
an initiative called “En sus marcas, listos … inclusión, designed to strengthen
the Para sport infrastructure.
Through En sus marcas, listos …
inclusión vulnerable communities in Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua,
Peru, Argentina, Chile and the Dominican Republic have had the opportunity to
participate in adaptive sports. Over 800 athletes, 2,500 local leaders, and 250
coaches have benefited.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said:
“Para sport is a key tool in the socioeconomic inclusion of people with
disabilities. We are incredibly grateful to the Inter-American Development Bank
for partnering with the IPC to help deliver this vitally important work.
“And it is working. We are seeing
more and better athletes emerging from the Americas region. At the Tokyo 2020
Paralympic Games we had history as Ecuador won gold for the first time and El
Salvador secured their first ever medal, while Venezuela, Chile and Colombia
had their most successful Games ever.
“That’s why NPC Colombia is a
fantastic mentor for this new initiative. I’m excited about how they will pass
on their knowledge to and help grow the Paralympic Movement in Guatemala,
Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago.”
Julio Cesar Avila, President of NPC
Colombia added: “We are excited to transfer the knowledge that we have learned
in recent years and have the opportunity to be mentors to our fellow NPCs in
the Americas region.
“Thanks to the support of the IDB and
the IPC, Paralympic sports have grown considerably in the region. Through it
the number of athletes has increased, and we have more coaches and local
leaders trained to teach in sports initiation. I am confident that together we
will grow and strengthen the Paralympic Movement in the Americas.”
About the International Paralympic
Committee:
The International Paralympic
Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. It
co-ordinates the organisation of the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Winter
Games. The IPC’s vision is to make for an inclusive world though Para sport.
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