INTERNATIONAL Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons believes Jamaica has a significant role to play in the development of the movement in the region.

The Brazilian Parsons, who has overseen the IPC for almost a decade, arrived in Kingston on Sunday, making it the first time he’s visited a country in the Caribbean.

During his five-day visit Parsons is to meet several local sports stakeholders, including Sports Minister Olivia Grange, about how the IPC can help to improve the state of Para sports in Jamaica.

Parsons believes the efforts of Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) over the years needs to be replicated across the Caribbean.

“Jamaica is the leader in the development of the Paralympic movement in the Caribbean so it’s important to understand how from here we can support the other nations as well, bringing all the different nations in the Caribbean — with Jamaica leading it — to their next level of development,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“One thing we do at the IPC is to make sure we can make all of the 185 nations we have to go to a next level of development. It’s different from country to country, and we understand so we assess, make partnerships, speak with leaders, and when we go back, we can focus on strengthening the infrastructure for the athletes,” Parsons added.

The IPC president also plans to help expand the movement into the rural areas of Jamaica, rather than concentrating solely on urban areas.

“I’m going to find out what can we do here, what is already here that can support the growth of the Paralympic movement — and not only in Kingston and Montego Bay but a nationwide effort. We have many programmes and projects in bond when we have our headquarters, so from there we can keep the support in Jamaica, and from Jamaica to the rest of the Caribbean,” he said.

JPA President Christopher Samuda says Parsons’ visit is significant and will lead to the further growth of Para sports locally.

“Andrew has never been to a Caribbean country and he decided to come to Jamaica first, so it’s an opportunity to have a very meaningful dialogue with our president. He can give us his perspectives in terms of development initiatives, how we should grow as an organisation — and I think that’s beneficial for us,” said Samuda.

“We need also for Jamaicans to understand that the Paralympic movement is alive and well and has an infrastructure that is as viable as the Olympic infrastructure. We have a president who is the chief policymaker and decision-maker so any interaction with him will definitely be beneficial for our movement locally. He’s always wanted to come to Jamaica, not only in terms of the development of the Paralympic movement but also the Caribbean experience,” he added.

Parsons says the Government and private sector should invest more in Para sports due to its wide beneficial effects on society.

“It’s not just a return to the specific athletes but, with changing perceptions, they understand this is elite sport and persons with disabilities can do whatever they want if given the opportunity. Most importantly, they’re citizens with disabilities — not just athletes. They can be an active part of society by working, being consumers, contributing to the economy of the country, paying taxes and so on,” he said.

“The founder of the Paralympic movement said something 70 years ago that still resonates today: his dream was that every disable person on the planet can become a taxpayer. This means [not only] contributing to society but [also] being an active part of society, and Paralympic sports is the best way of doing it because it changes perception. You can always help change reality when you change perception of the people,” Parsons added.

Samuda revealed that several initiatives will be launched across the region in the coming months to boost Para sports, including a partnership with the Americas Paralympic Committee and the Latin American Bank.

— Daniel Blake