Malawi Paralympic Committee (MPC) and its president James Chiutsi have earned rare recognition from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) following their participation in the Unesco-IPC International Disability Inclusion Conference in Paris, France.
The development comes after Paralympics Team Malawi returned from Paris Paralympics empty handed.
However, MPC and Chiutsi scored highly after attending the conference which was tagged ‘harnessing the transformational impact of Para sport.’
“Your contributions were extremely valuable for the audience that included international government representatives, private sector and sport stakeholders,” a letter from IPC Chief Membership and Impact Officer Kristina Molloy reads.
According to the letter, dated September 10, 2024, NPC [National Paralympic Committee] Malawi was selected to present because of the positive examples of para sport development across Malawi, including successful implementation of the ‘I’mPOSSIBLE [I am possible] school programme in coordination with government.
“IPC has been thrilled with the progress made in Malawi, and the advancement of creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in sport and physical activity in a way that challenges stigma and engages the next generation.
“The work done by NPC Malawi is an important model to share with other National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), sport stakeholders and government representatives, which is why you were selected to present at the Unesco-IPC conference on the eve of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games,” the letter reads.
Chiutsi said apart from the sports issues, the committee was engaged in diplomacy at international level for Malawi’s benefit.
“Malawi is highly revered at the IPC as I sat on a panel representing the developing world, discussing how to develop para sport globally, due to our work on PSAS [Parasport Against Stigma].
“Malawi also presented at Unesco conference, chosen as a country implementing best practices in developing SPWD [Sport for People With Disability], using it for social development. The IPC president described Malawi Paralympic Committee as the beacon of hope for the developing world,” Chiutsi said.
During the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Team Malawi featured two athletes as the other two were withdrawn on technical grounds.
Visually impaired athlete Estere Nagoli finished fourth, in heat three, at 32:11 seconds, attaining her personal best, surpassing her record which was at 33:0 seconds but she did not progress to the next round.
Her compatriot Moses Misoya ended on position eight in T13 400m having crossed the finish line in 54:27 seconds, in a process setting a new personal best record, which previously stood at 55:00.
The two athletes competed on wildcard parametre, an equivalent of solidarity.
However, Team Malawi’s other two athletes Mphatso Saukile and Taonere Banda did not compete as they were withdrawn on technicalities as per World Para Athletics’ quota requirements.
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