Haiti celebrates day of para-sport with Agitos Foundation

More than 700 people gathered in western Haiti to raise awareness and promote Paralympic sport. 26 Oct 2012

More than 700 people took part in the celebrations in Haiti, with 2,000 spectators looking on.

ⒸNPC Haiti

“The interest demonstrated by many associations of persons with disabilities to participate in the event is proof of the importance of sports in the lives of the Haitian citizen and their contribution to the development of the country.”

More than 2,000 spectators were in attendance as Haiti recently celebrated its National Competition day of Handisport on 17 October, an annual event funded this year by the IPC’s Agitos Foundation that honours people with an impairment in the country and showcases Paralympic sport.

This year’s fifth edition of the event was organised at College Faustin Soulouque in Petit Goave in western Haiti, where more than 400 athletes and 300 members of the public took part in sport events. Those in attendance took part in the para-sports of: athletics, boccia, wheelchair basketball, table tennis, powerlifting, sitting volleyball and amputee football.

“The interest demonstrated by many associations of persons with disabilities to participate in the event is proof of the importance of sports in the lives of the Haitian citizen and their contribution to the development of the country,” said Jean Chevalier Sanon, President of Haiti’s National Paralympic Committee.

The celebration promoted the decentralization and accessibility of the Paralympic Movement in Haiti, advocated people to become interested in para-sport and served as an opportunity to analyze the talent of athletes with an impairment throughout the country.

The Agitos Foundation is the leading global organisation developing sport activities for people with a disability as a tool for changing lives and contributing to an inclusive society for all.

Its vision is to lead the Paralympic Movement’s aspiration of driving change towards an inclusive society.

The Red Cross, USAID and the Special Olympics were among the several other sponsors in attendance in Haiti.