IPC launches Local Leaders courses for emerging National Paralympic Committees
At least 200 sport administrators participated in the International Paralympic Committee's Local Leaders training courses 03 Jun 2026
To support the development of 50 of its least resourced National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has launched a training course to equip at least 200 sport administrators with the skills to grow and strengthen the Para sport systems in their respective countries.
Called Local Leaders and targeting 50 NPCs in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, the training course is part of the IPC’s Sport for Mobility Programme which is the product of a grant agreement with the Toyota Mobility Foundation.
The course builds on participants’ knowledge of the Paralympic Movement and Para sport development in an introductory online session. This is followed by three days of intensive in-person trainings with workshops, real-world case studies, and hands-on strategic planning exercises. These sessions help participants gain knowledge and skills in stakeholder networking and building partnerships to strengthen their organisations.
By the end of the course participants create a two-year action plan that aims to increase grassroots participation in Para sport and establish a sustainable national Para athlete pathway. Individual mentoring and follow-up sessions ensure that guidance is available to help participants develop and implement these action plans.
Equipped with their action plans local leaders are then ready to collaborate with coaches, officials and National Federations to deliver activities. So far training courses have been conducted in Bhutan, Botswana, Cape Verde, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Macao China, Madagascar, Nepal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Uruguay and Vanuatu.
Kristina Molloy, Deputy CEO said: “The IPC recognises that our member organisations are at different stages of development with many facing resource challenges, capacity constraints, and limited leadership development opportunities. Through the Sport for Mobility programme, we are upskilling local leaders to develop and be accountable for impactful, community-rooted initiatives to drive the growth of Para sport in their own contexts on their own terms.
“By providing expert guidance that is region-specific, we aim to create meaningful change within the least resourced NPCs across the Paralympic Movement, transforming the Para sport landscape and contributing to unlocking opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in sport.”
Local Leaders is the starting point of the IPC Development Model’s five complementary and sequential initiatives. In the next phase of the IPC Development Model participating NPCs can apply for grants to implement activities to create sustainable Para athlete pathways under the Sport for Mobility programme.
The IPC Development Model helps increase grassroots participation, expand access to Para sport training and nurture national-level athletes – strengthening the entire Para sport ecosystems from the ground up.
