First Executive Meeting for African Paralympic Committee

It is an honour for the Government of Angola to be the host of the African Paralympic Committee.

The two days of intensive work sessions aimed at defining the priorities for the next four years. As a result, the committee did a detailed inventory of the activities from all African National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), in order to identify and strengthen leaders and promote events with athletes and competitions. Additionally, the African Paralympic Committee identified and established a strong co-operation with the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa and looked for partner agreements with sponsors.

The meeting was lead by newly elected President, Leonel da Rocha Pinto, with other attendees including International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board (GB) member Ali Harzallah, NPC Egypt’s Dr. Hossam Mostafa and NPC Rwanda President Dominique Bizimana. The attendees were also formally co-opted as members of the African Paralympic Committees’ Executive Committee.

During the meeting, a formal ceremony handing over of the power of authority took place from the former African Sports Confederation of Disabled (ASCOD) President Dr. Nabil Salem to the new President Leonel da Rocha Pinto. A transfer to the new location also took place in the Hall of the Provincial Government in Luanda, Angola.

Minister for Youth and Sport Goncalvez Manuel Muandumba was among many government representatives and media, saying that the Ministry would support the organization now in Angola.

“It is an honour for the Government of Angola to be the host of the African Paralympic Committee,” he said. “I personally will ensure that the impact of activities for and with people with a disability and the need for their support will be discussed at the next meetings of the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa.”