Proud Paralympian: new leaders ready to inspire Africa

“I have attended the Paralympic Games in London 201 2 and to be in this programme is a great pride for me. I want to continue engaging with other athletes to guide them on how to achieve their objectives”

The Proud Paralympian athlete education programme now has three newly-trained leaders ready to deliver workshops in the African region.

They went through a three-day training workshop, from 23-25 April, prior to the 3rd International Athletics Meeting in Marrakech.

New Proud Paralympian leaders are Rwanda’s Jean Baptiste Murema (sitting volleyball), Sierra Leone’s George Wyndham (Para table tennis) and Egypt's Tarek Zahry (wheelchair tennis, Para badminton and Para swimming)

“I have attended the Paralympic Games in London 2012 and to be in this programme is a great honour for me. I want to continue engaging with other athletes to guide them on how to achieve their objectives”, said Murema.

The leader training was delivered by the Agitos Foundation in partnership with the Adecco Group, a partner of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) since 2007.

After the training, the three new leaders had the opportunity to try out their facilitation skills and learning units by delivering workshops to 70 Para athletes, coaches and officials from 17 countries present in Marrakech.

“I wanted to become a Proud Paralympian leader and help the Agitos Foundation and the IPC to spread the message about the Paralympic Movement to young athletes and motivate them to have passion for the game. I also want to encourage those with disabilities to get to know the Para sports that we love so much”, said George Wyndham.

Delivered and funded by the Agitos Foundation, Proud Paralympian aims to give Para athletes the tools they need to give their best on and off the field of play, from their first experiences in Para sport to their transition to employment and education after sport.