Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC) Vice-President Christopher Samuda says this year’s Para South American Games represent far more than another stop on the regional sporting calendar as Valledupar, Colombia, prepares to welcome athletes from across South America.

The Colombian city will host the multi-sport Games from July 5 to 15, with athletes from 11 countries competing in 13 sporting disciplines. More than 400 officials and 300 judges will oversee the competition, which is being staged by the apex governing body, AmPC, in partnership with the Colombian Government, the Local Organising Committee for the Games (LOCOG) and the Colombian Paralympic Committee (CPC).

Samuda said the Games have evolved into a celebration of friendship, resilience and sporting excellence while highlighting the transformative impact of Paralympic sport across the region.

“It is no longer for us a calendar event. It is a regional for-all-seasons sporting experience that celebrates friendship, honours the fortitude and resilience of the human spirit, exemplifies greatness in performances and humanises the business of sport,” he said.

The 2026 edition also fulfils a commitment made three years ago by the current AmPC executive board to restore the regional competition after a 12-year absence.

AmPC President Julio César Ávila Sarria welcomed the return of the Games, describing it as another milestone in the continued growth of the Paralympic movement.

From left: International Paralympic Committee (APC) President Andrew Parsons; Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC) Executive Director Michele Formonte; and AmPC Vice-President Christopher Samuda talk during the IPC president’s official visit to Jamaica in February 2025.

“Twelve years after Santiago 2014 and after three Paralympic cycles, we resume this story with renewed vigour. These games represent a clear image of what we can achieve together, showing that Paralympic sport continues to grow regardless of time,” Ávila Sarria said.

Competition will be held across nine venues in Valledupar and the nearby municipality of Agustín Codazzi, the official sub-venue. Athletes will engage in friendly rivalry as they compete for qualification to the Para Pan American Games, scheduled for next year in Lima, Peru.

With preparations complete, Samuda said he expects the Games to deliver exciting competition and memorable performances.

“It’s all cylinders firing and I expect sparks will be ignited in thrilling and enthralling performances,” he said.

The opening ceremony is to be held on July 5 at Armando Maestre Pavajeau Stadium, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for July 15 at Valledupar’s iconic Alfonso López Square.