Paralympics 2024: Challenges for Africa despite improved haul in Paris

The message from the APC, which held a meeting of top officials from every NPC last Tuesday, is for the continent to work together to attain more funding from governments.

“The biggest challenge we have is disunity among the African people,” APC president Deen told BBC Sport Africa.

“When we are united, we have one message and we have one focus. If we are together, we can build a strong Africa in para-sports.

“With that, the governments will come closer. They will be part of us, work with us and make sure that we have a lot of athletes qualifying for LA 2028.”

Meanwhile, increasing the profile of para-sport across the continent will boost participation and increase the talent pool.

“There are many people with disability who do not believe sport is the way out,” Hagie Drammeh, The Gambia’s chef de mission in Paris, said.

“We have about six female powerlifters in our country. That alone is an achievement for us but we need more.

“We need to get into most of the sports so that people with impairments, challenges, difficulties will have life in sports. And that is the mission.”

Nigerian para-powerlifting silver medallist Esther Nworgu issued a rallying cry to other people with impairments to take up sport.

“Sport will build you mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically,” the 21-year-old from Umuahia in Abia State said.

“Sport is like an X-ray. It brings you out and shows you what you are inside. Where there is disability, there is ability. I see it as strength.”

Given that Africa took home 97 medals from the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, work must begin in earnest to realise the continent’s potential in the United States in 2028.