UK Sport has congratulated Samson Deen on his re-election as president of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC) and proposed a strategic meeting in London to expand support for para-sport across the continent.
Deen was re-elected for a second four-year term during the AfPC General Assembly held in Accra, Ghana, which concluded successfully with delegates from across Africa in attendance. He first assumed the AfPC presidency in 2021.
In a letter signed by Prof Nick Webborn CBE DL, chair of UK Sport, the organisation praised Deen’s “continued leadership and dedication to advancing the Paralympic Movement in Africa” following the successful conclusion of the AfPC General Assembly in Accra.
Prof Webborn described the Assembly’s outcome as testament to Deen’s commitment to unity, inclusion and empowerment of para-athletes across Africa, whilst highlighting opportunities for deeper collaboration between British and African para-sport organisations.
The UK Sport chair referenced recent discussions with Donald Rukare, president-elect of Commonwealth Sports, who has expressed strong interest in strengthening para-sport pathways and collaboration ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where para-sports will constitute 60% of the programme.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the African Paralympic Committee under your leadership,” Prof Webborn wrote, proposing a post-election summit in London bringing together Deen, Rukare and the British Paralympic Association.
The planned meeting aims to explore new avenues for expanding support to African para-sports federations and fostering stronger partnerships between National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across the region.
Prof Webborn also highlighted the success of the GAPS (Governance and Partnership in Sport) programme, which has delivered transformative para-sport interventions across Commonwealth nations, including several in Africa.
The initiative represents a growing recognition within the Commonwealth Sports Movement of para-sport’s role in development globally and specifically across the African continent.
UK Sport’s commitment comes as Africa’s para-sport infrastructure enters a period of significant growth, with Accra set to host the African Paralympic Committee headquarters and IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) establishing its Africa office in the Ghanaian capital.
The proposed London summit would build on existing partnerships and create new frameworks for technical support, coaching development and equipment provision to African para-sport programmes.
Deen’s re-election extends a tenure that has seen major milestones for African para-sport, including the historic first African Para Games hosted in Accra in 2023 and the successful establishment of institutional structures for the continental Paralympic movement.
The convergence of UK Sport’s renewed commitment, the Commonwealth Games’ expanded para-sport programme, and Africa’s growing infrastructure presents significant opportunities for athletes across the continent in the lead-up to Glasgow 2026 and beyond.
