NPC Colombia celebrates 15th anniversary

“The Colombian Paralympic Committee extends a huge thank you to all the people and public and private entities that have contributed to the development of the Paralympic system in Colombia."

The Colombian Paralympic Committee celebrated 15 years of its constitution on 3 February, recognising how far the organisation has come in developing para-sport in the country.

The National Paralympic Committee wrote on their website: “The victories, medals and titles won have been part of this experience, and so have losses, falls and efforts which were not always rewarded as expected. However, beyond the satisfaction of accomplishment, of setbacks and disappointments of all projects undertaken, the greatest treasure found during this time was undoubtedly the friendship of athletes, coaches, managers and professionals from different areas who have joined this adventure from all corners of Colombia and in different parts of the world.

“It has been 15 years promoting the values of the Paralympic Movement: inspiration, determination, courage, equality and ensuring the human right to sport without discrimination of any kind, and helping to make the dreams of many who at first it seemed unattainable.

“As the late South African President Nelson Mandela said: ‘Sport has the power to change the world; it has the power to inspire, has the power to unite people in a way that few things can achieve. Sport is perhaps the best tool for inclusion and reconciliation with which humanity has.’

“Religious, political and cultural differences disappear in the space for the game, that is when the real teams work unitedly no matter who their members or who is the rival in power, because the real success is not to beat the opponent but go beyond himself.

“The Colombian Paralympic Committee extends a huge thank you to all the people and public and private entities that have contributed to the development of the Paralympic system in Colombia and invites them to continue to be part of this factory of Colombian heroes who travel the world leaving up the colours and notes of the patriotic symbols of our country.”