Elias Musangeya, Senior Advisor at UK Sport, and Dominique Bizimana, head of Rwanda’s National Paralympic Committee, travelled to the Seychelles and met with the Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton to conduct a study and discuss the beginnings of a Paralympics community in the Seychelles.
After initial talks with Henry Bellingham MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Elias met with Minister Meriton to examine how a partnership between the two nations could help to put in place the foundations for a future Paralympic team to flourish.
A UK delegation to the Seychelles’ delivered their recommendations to a committee consisting of Minister Meriton, Community Development and Sports Principal Secretary Denis Rose, National Sports Council Chief Executive Alain Volcère, Special Adviser on Community Development to the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Dan Frichot,, Sports Policy Analyst Jean Larue and Senior Programme Assistant Rolly Barbé.
The recommendations conveyed include:
- To establish an Interim Committee to oversee the formulation of a national Paralympic committee, which in turn will help develop Paralympic sport in the Seychelles
- That data/statistics on people with impairment are updated as such information is vital for onward planning
- That the authorities concerned endeavour to provide or improve accessibility of wheel-chair bound persons and other impairment at public buildings and sports venues
- That the sports ministry and the NSC consider making available some funds to enable the sport to go through the initial stages of development
- That the Paralympic committee of Seychelles establishes a meaningful partnership with the Paralympic Association of Rwanda
UK Sport’s Elias Musangeya also led on the ‘Get Inspired’ Festival, the event provided those with disabilities the opportunity to experience the inspirational power of sport.
UK Sport is a global partner of the International Paralympic Committee and supports Paralympic projects in East Africa.