Samuda pleased with 22 additions for LA 2028 Paralympic Games

JAMAICA PARALYMPIC Association President Christopher Samuda has welcomed the approval by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) of twenty-two sports for inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games (LA28) as “refreshing and a clear signal that policymaking is demonstrating inclusion and diversity which will only inspire confidence in stakeholders”.

After receiving thirty-three applications from the various sporting governing international federations and conducting a rigorous review process, the IPC made the announcement recently and, in keeping with IPC Rules, indicated that the organising committee of LA28 may, in addition, propose one or more additional events as new sports for the consideration of the IPC.

Samuda, in expressing confidence that para surfing will be proposed and included, said, “Paralympic Jamaica, in partnership with the Jamaica Surfing Association, introduced para surfing in late 2021 on our menu of sport and our surfers have, since then, done exceptionally well in competitions overseas in such a short time and are now motivated in creating history and emulating other national sports which transitioned to the Paralympic stage in Tokyo.”

He further commented that, “The world’s youth in para sports must be given as many sport options in their pursuits in demonstrating ability and capability and in self-actualising.”