The grant, awarded by the Portuguese branch of world leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS, will be used to fund the Paralympic Preparation Programme 2016.

This is a nationwide project designed to support training and preparation for the next edition of the Paralympic Games.

"It is for us to be proud of where another large company is associated to our projects, the Paralympic Movement and to this family that is constantly growing," said CPP President Humberto Santos.

SGS is a global organisation that specialises in the inspection and verification of the quantity, weight and quality of traded goods, and the testing of product quality and performance against various health, safety and regulatory standards.

Lenine Cunha was one of just three medallists for Portugal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games ©Getty Images



"Membership in this project is part of the our support strategy, increasingly, the national projects, and this project deserves our interest in the example and strength that athletes can transmit all of us," added João Marques, chairman of the Board of Directors of SGS Portugal.

Portugal recorded their worst result at a Paralympic Games when they travelled to London in 2012.

For the first time since their debut Games in 1972, the team failed to secure a gold medal, winning a silver in the mixed pairs BC3 boccia contest, as well as bronze in the men's long jump F20, courtesy of Lenine Cunha, and mixed individual BC3 boccia, courtesy of José Macedo.

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