African para-athletes praise Commonwealth Games inclusivity

What the report says

BBC Sport Africa reports that several leading African para-athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow say the event’s integrated format is helping improve recognition of disabled athletes and challenge stigma around disability. At the Commonwealth Games, para-sport medals count in the same national standings as medals won by non-disabled athletes, rather than being staged in a separate competition. BBC notes that this approach began at Manchester 2002 and has helped make the Games a prominent inclusive multi-sport event.

The Glasgow Games were arranged after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as host in 2023 over funding concerns, leading to a reduced programme. Even so, BBC reports that 47 para events are being held across six of the 10 remaining sports. Uganda swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe, Mauritius wheelchair racer Noemie Alphonse and Ghanaian para-powerlifter Tahiru Haruna told the BBC that visibility at the Games can help shift public attitudes, attract support and encourage disabled young people to participate in sport.

Kukundakwe, Uganda’s team captain, is targeting the country’s first Commonwealth swimming medal in the 100m freestyle S9 and 100m breaststroke SB8. She previously competed at the Tokyo Paralympics as a 14-year-old, took part in Birmingham 2022 and carried Uganda’s flag at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Alphonse is seeking a first Commonwealth medal after winning a world silver in 2023, while Haruna said he uses sport outreach in Ghana to push for inclusion in schools.

BBC also highlighted early success for African para-athletes in Glasgow, including Nigeria’s strong day-one showing in para-powerlifting, where its athletes won three golds and three silvers. The report frames the Games as both an elite competition and a platform for broader disability inclusion across parts of Africa.