African para-sport at crossroads after Paris 2024 haul

Skander Djamil Athmani and Raoua Tlili won two gold medals at Paris 2024, while Mpumelelo Mhlongo was among seven other Africans to secure two podium finishes

The Paris 2024 Paralympics proved to be a case of consolidation for Africa as the continent won 64 medals in total – just one more than the tally at Tokyo 2020.

The 23 golds were split between eight nations, with two other countries also getting on to the medal table.

As expected, para-athletics and para-powerlifting provided the bulk of the podium places, with 43 and 11 medals respectively, but there was also success in eight other sporting disciplines.

Morocco was the most successful country overall with 15 medals but North African neighbours Algeria topped the continent’s medal table thanks to its six gold medals.

African Paralympic Committee (APC) president Samson Deen says the continent’s competitors “need to be commended” for their performances in Paris although challenges remain.

“African athletes have shown that if our governments and our people lift up support, they are going to perform much, much better,” the Ghanaian told BBC Sport Africa.

Despite several impressive achievements in the French capital both the APC and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) have several complex issues to address over the course of the next four-year cycle to Los Angeles 2028.

History made

Three landmarks stand out after 26 nations from the continent travelled to Europe in search of their first Paralympic medal.

Mauritius were the only country among that contingent to secure a piece of history courtesy of Yovanni Philippe’s third-placed finish in the men’s T20 400m.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Mariam Eniola Bolaji became the first African to win an Olympic or Paralympic medal in badminton as the 18-year-old won bronze in the SL3 singles category.

Mauritian runner Yovanni Philippe (right) won bronze in the men's T20 400m, matching his result from last year's World Para-Athletics Championships in Paris

And Algeria got its first ever medal outside para-athletics, para-judo and para-powerlifting as Brahim Guendouz won gold in para-canoeing’s KL3 class over 200m.

The 25-year-old from Annaba was one of three African entrants in the sport, but expects his success could give its profile a boost.

“It's going to make a big jump in our sport because [it] is not that famous in our country (and) especially in Africa,” he said.

"A lot of African athletes will have the same opportunity and will be (in) the same place as me."

Legends cement legacy

Two Africans won two golds, with Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili cementing her dominance in the F41 discus throw and shot put.

The 34-year-old holds national records for the most Paralympic gold medals (eight) and total medals at the Games (10), and has been described as “the symbol of Tunisian Paralympic sport” by the president of the country’s NPC.

Algerian runner Skander Djamil Athmani also won two golds in the T13 class, over 100m and 400m, while seven other competitors returned home with two medals.

South Africa’s Mpumelelo Mhlongu was among them, winning the T44 100m and also setting world records in in his class in the 200m and long jump.

Among those who defended their titles from Tokyo were Nigerian para-powerlifters Bose Omolayo and Folashade Oluwafemiayo.

Boosting African entrants

Ghana's Frederick Assor and his pilot Rudolf Mensah were the only African entry in track cycling at Paris 2024

Looking ahead to LA 2028, a key priority for Africa is to increase the number of entries and the level of competition.

There were 312 para-athletes sent from 44 nations on the continent, with nine countries having just one representative.

Africa’s contingent was almost matched by China’s 284 competitors, while the United States and Great Britain sent teams of 219 and 201 respectively.

Aside from the levels of funding and the facilities available to top nations, the location of qualifying events remains a factor.

Many such competitions are in Europe, the Americas or Asia and prove expensive for African nations to attend logistically, with visa requirements added to transport and accommodation costs.

The search for the host for the second edition of the African Para Games has begun and the APC has signed an agreement with a European sports agency in a bid to increase the number of sports at the next edition in 2027.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) vice president Duane Kale says the continent has “untapped potential” – and that the IPC will be a better organisation when the continent is stronger.

One other big issue to take on is around the classification of para-athletes, and ensuring they compete in the right disciplines.

“There's a lot of effort going into that, and that's one of the key things that the IPC is leading the charge on,” Kale told BBC Sport Africa.

“It's also drawing on the unique capabilities that our African athletes have and picking the sports that really connect with them, that they're going to be super capable in.

“If we can develop that, we will see African athletes shine.”

The aim is that the 2027 African Para Games will have disciplines which can provide more African qualifiers for LA 2028.

Building African unity

Africa Paralympic Committee president Samson Deen has signed a deal with a European sports agency in a bid to grow the African Para Games for its next edition in 2027

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.