African countries target powerlifting progress

World Para Powerlifting (WPP) is working to ensure Africa continues to provide many of the world’s strongest Paralympians as they delivered a three-day workshop in Lagos, Nigeria, to representatives from Algeria, Kenya and Nigeria, between 5 and 7 June.

The workshop had the support of the Agitos Foundation, the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) development arm, through its Grant Support Programme.

Its goal was to increase the knowledge, competency and understanding of how to host Para powerlifting events for targeted National Paralympic Committees, resulting in increased competition opportunities in Africa.

The grant also enabled WPP to develop resources to aid and support hosts in planning, organising and delivering a competition. The participants of the workshop were given USB keys with these resources to assist in their organisation of future competitions.

WPP Competition and Development Manager Sam Munkley said: “The delivery of this workshop reflects our commitment to support organisers and provide them resources, templates and lessons learned to deliver successful Para powerlifting competitions.

“Our hope is to see this initiative benefit the hosts for the upcoming African Championships, to be held in Algiers from 10 to 12 August, as well as the development of competition opportunities in the region.”

Representatives took part in a series of lectures and practical sessions to help with competition planning and venue requirements, volunteer and local organiser recruitment, finance management and event marketing and sponsorship.

The trip concluded with venue site visits and the representatives conducting their own evaluations by applying their newly-learned knowledge and skills.

“I feel truly inspire from taking part in the workshop and motivated to host a Para powerlifting competition in my country,” said Lateef Kehinde of Nigeria. “From the presentations, discussions and practical tasks, I am impressed and can take a lot of this knowledge to implement in hosting a competition.”

“The Competition Hosting Workshop was very beneficial for me,” said Mohamed Salah Benatta of Algeria. “We had a good understanding of the requirements but it was great to gain the knowledge to put these into practice.”

Benard Ongondo of Kenya added: “We from Kenya really enjoyed our time learning about the sport and hosting competitions. The discussions, lectures and tasks have left us very motivated about the opportunity to develop Para powerlifting.”