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IPC President Andrew Parsons and APC Executive Director Michele Formonte in Jamaica examining ways to strengthen parasports in the region
Written by Bradley Jacks. Posted in Other Sports. | 04 February 2025 | 216 Views
Tags: Jamaica Paralympics Association, Paralympics

International Paralympic Committee President (IPC) Andrew Parsons and Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) Executive Director, Mrs. Michele Formonte, are currently in Jamaica to examine the strength of and how to develop para sports in the Caribbean region. Formonte arrived on the island on Saturday, February 1 while Parsons arrived a day later.

During their trip, they will be involved in a number of events geared towards gaining a better understanding of the Paralympic movement in Jamaica.

Parsons has described Jamaica as the leader in the Paralympic movement in the region and has hopes of seeing how the Jamaican model can be brought to other Caribbean countries.

One of their engagements was a meet at the University of the West Indies on February 3 where they discussed building awareness of the disabled community and facilitating their needs in various spaces.

Present with them at the meeting held at UWI’s Faculty of Sport, were Floyd Morris, Director of the University of the West Indies Centre for Disability Studies, and Dr. Akshai Mansingh, Head of the UWI Faculty of Sport.

They discussed building awareness of the disabled community and facilitating their needs in various spaces.

Senator Morris commended UWI for their timely response to the needs of the disabled community within the university.

“It’s the best place for students with disabilities to come and study because the facility and infrastructure is more responsive and accommodating for persons with disabilities,” he said.

“It’s not the perfect institution but the institution always makes reasonable accommodation for the students with disabilities,” he added.

Other activities scheduled for their visit include courtesy calls with Mr. Mark Golding, Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition and The Hon. Olivia Grange, Minister of Couture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

Photo courtesy of Joseph Wellington.