UK Sport has delivered a strong message of solidarity to the African Paralympic community, celebrating the re-election of Mr. Samson Deen as President of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC) while signaling an expanded commitment to para sport development across the continent.
In a formal congratulatory letter signed by Prof. Nick Webborn CBE DL, Chair of UK Sport, the organisation hailed Mr. Deen’s renewed mandate as a decisive moment for Africa’s para sport movement. The letter commended his “consistent leadership and unwavering dedication” to building a stronger Paralympic ecosystem—one rooted in unity, inclusion, and the empowerment of athletes with disabilities.
UK Sport described the successful hosting of the 2025 AfPC General Assembly in Accra as further evidence of President Deen’s organisational vision and his influence in shaping a more coordinated and impactful approach to para sport on the continent.
Prof. Webborn also highlighted the rising influence of the Commonwealth Sports Movement in global para sport transformation. Citing his recent engagement with Donald Rukare, the President-elect of Commonwealth Sports, he noted a shared commitment to strengthening athlete pathways, governance structures, and capacity-building initiatives for National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) across Africa. This cooperation comes at a crucial time, ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Games—where para disciplines will form an unprecedented 60% of the entire competition programme.
The statement further pointed to the success of the GAPS programme, an initiative that has delivered groundbreaking support for emerging para athletes and administrators within the Commonwealth. According to UK Sport, the programme’s impact demonstrates how international collaboration can level the playing field for athletes with disabilities in developing regions.
With Africa’s Paralympic landscape evolving rapidly, UK Sport proposed a high-level strategic meeting in London after the upcoming elections. The meeting, expected to bring together President Deen, President-elect Rukare, and the British Paralympic Association, will focus on designing new support systems for African para sports federations, enhancing technical expertise, and strengthening partnerships between NPCs and National Olympic Committees across the region.
Prof. Webborn reaffirmed UK Sport’s readiness to deepen its engagement with the continent, stating: “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the African Paralympic Committee under your leadership.” The message, described by observers as both congratulatory and forward-looking, is seen as a strong endorsement of President Deen’s role in Africa’s rapidly growing Paralympic movement.
The renewed partnership signals a pivotal phase for African para sport development—one that places global cooperation at the forefront and positions the continent for greater representation, performance, and athlete development on the world stage.
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