Case Study: Malawi Para Games

Source: https://www.lborolondon.ac.uk/research-innovation/para-sport-against-stigma/outcomes/malawi-para-games/ Parent: https://www.lborolondon.ac.uk/research-innovation/para-sport-against-stigma/outcomes/

The inaugural Malawi Para Games (MPG) provided the first national platform for people with disabilities to gather and engage in sports, promoting inclusion. The Games to be hosted in two steps a) a first smaller version to test formats and build engagement b) larger second edition enhanced based on learning.

Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, Malawi

27 July 2023 and 28 December 2023

127 para athletes competing.

5 sports including: Goalball, Sitting volleyball, Para athletics, Para powerlifting and Chess for the visually impaired.

The Para Games attracted:

30 technical officials
20 officials in different sectors
5 classifiers
80 parents and teachers escorted athletes
11 media houses attended
27 schools provided athletes; other athletes were without schools Athletes’ ages ranged from 11 to 30 years
3 medical personnel were present at the event

Impact on ecosystem

Stakeholder Support: Essential support came from embassies, celebrities, and organizations.
National Sports Council: Agreed to budget for and include the Games in their annual calendar.
High-Level visibility: Secured from the Vice President's Office and Ministry of Sport.
Community Engagement: Used I’mPOSSIBLE to involve schools, parents, and the community, aiming to reduce stigma and highlight Para athlete talent.

Impact on athletes

I was very happy to be chosen to compete at Bingu, it gave me confidence because it has been a culture for the community to view us as people who are unable. As an athlete, we experience challenge in terms of getting athletic gear and for friends who don’t have disabilities they sing mockery songs about our disability.

Para athlete, 2022

Media coverage

11 Media houses covered the event including Malawi Broadcast Corporation, Mibawa TV, Zodiak TV etc.

According to the Facebook page on the day, the games reached up to 3000 plus readers with Zodiak online covering the event, Malawi Paralympic Facebook page and Malawi Paralympic Twitter account and Instagram account.

What’s next?

This innovative approach by the Malawi Paralympic Committee is locally driven and is positioned for meaningful and sustained stigma reduction. Key stakeholders should work towards leveraging support and resources to host National Games in Malawi and other Sub-Saharan African countries on the pathway to the next Paralympic Games.