Jesus Kerguelen's pupils will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Elkin Serna, the marathon T12 runner-up at the London 2012 Paralympic Games ©Getty Images

Colombian coach Jesus Kerguelen, who has devoted much of his recent life to encouraging impaired youngsters in Córdoba to take up sports and lead healthy, productive and active lives, says he is hoping to see one of his pupils qualify for the Paralympic Games one day.

Kerguelen got involved with Para-sports in 2013, when four children with impairments enrolled in his physical education class.

He has since been heading up projects to raise awareness of Para-sports and now, around 40 athletes from Córdoba compete in athletics, boccia, goalball, football seven-a-side and powerlifting.

"Working with people with impairment is so inspiring," said Kerguelen.

"Many kids believe they cannot achieve great things due to their disability.

"Helping them fulfil their dreams provides me with self-satisfaction.

"Many are hopeless when they come to their first class but eventually realise that they can also achieve great things."

In 2015, Kerguelen travelled to Brazilian city São Paulo to take part in a training camp funded by the Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee.

Two videos about the background and family life of one of the 28-year-old’s pupils, Luis Herazo, were produced as part of a road to Rio 2016 film series, which documents athletes that have taken part in Agitos Foundation activities as part of #TeamAgitos.

Herazo, who has cerebral palsy, was sent to São Paulo after winning F36 javelin bronze at an open competition in Medellín in Colombia.

Colombia's Moises Fuentes Garcia won silver in the men's 100m breaststroke SB4 at London 2012 ©Getty Images
Colombia's Moises Fuentes Garcia won silver in the men's 100m breaststroke SB4 at London 2012 ©Getty Images

"Since a video about him, produced by the Agitos Foundation, was released, Para-sports in the region have gained a lot of exposure," added Kerguelen.

"I dream of seeing one of my pupils competing at the Paralympic Games."

In the last 18 months, a total of 155 athletes, coaches and classifiers from 23 countries, including Herazo and Kerguelen, have benefited from training provided during the "Road to Rio 2016: Agitos Foundation Sessions".

Organised in partnership with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and Brazilian Paralympic Committee, the sessions aimed to improve coaching and Para-sport standards as part of the legacy of Latin America’s first Paralympic Games.

Anyone can use #TeamAgitos, which looks to raise awareness of the Agitos Foundation by encouraging sport fans, athletes and partners to join the team for developing Para-sport by showing their support and sharing their own updates on social media.

Colombia won two medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, both of which were silver.

Swimmer Moises Fuentes Garcia came second in the men’s 100 metres breaststroke SB4, while runner Elkin Serna took the runners-up spot in the marathon T12.

Colombia will be making their 10th Paralympic appearance at Rio 2016.