Africa-Press – Gambia. Senior Program Manager at The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), has outlined the need for people with disabilities to engage and have access to para sports. This, she believes, could help change the lives of physically challenged people, thereby making a difference for their families, society and nation at large.
Carolin Rickers made this remark at a recent three-day forum organised by The Gambia National Paralympic Committee in partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) In-County Support program for its members at the GNOC-Olympic House, Bakau.
The training, she added, was conducted to enhance the capacity of its members, and to help improve the administrative approach to Para Sports development in The Gambia.
“By practicing para sports, you discover all the things you are able to do and this makes you gain confidence, independence.” she stated.
Carolin observed that IPC is on the verge of gathering data on countries with Paralympic committees, adding that this would help them make informed decision on how to support them.
She indicated that in order to develop para-athletes, some funding and local support is needed saying there needs to be access to training venues, coaches education among others.
“Therefore, the whole of The Gambia needs to come together to support the athletes.” she said.
Alhagie Kuro Lamin Darboe, treasurer at NPC, highlighted that the committee started with only physically challenged people, saying as it is now they’ve different types of persons with disabilities.
“We need support from people to enhance ourselves and be part of national development.” he added.
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