Para sport will be developed in Guatemala, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago as part of the initiative ©Getty Images

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have launched an initiative to further develop Para sports in Guatemala, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.

Starting immediately and running until the end of 2024, it will see the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Colombia mentor the three nations while the IPC will provide consultation to develop an institutional plan that will strengthen each of the three NPCs.

The project is the third collaboration between the IDB and IPC to further Para sport in the Americas since 2017 after two partnerships on a programme called "en sus marcas, listos… inclusión", which translates to "on your marks, set, inclusion."

Through en sus marcas, listos… inclusion, communities in Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, Argentina, Chile and the Dominican Republic have had the opportunity to participate in Para sports.

It is claimed that more than 800 athletes, 2,500 local leaders and 250 coaches have benefitted.

"Para sport is a key tool in the socioeconomic inclusion of people with disabilities," said IPC President Andrew Parsons.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Inter-American Development Bank for partnering with the IPC to help deliver this vitally important work.

"And it is working.

IPC President Andrew Parsons feels the most important aspect of the initiative is the inclusion of people with disabilities in society ©Getty Images
IPC President Andrew Parsons feels the most important aspect of the initiative is the inclusion of people with disabilities in society ©Getty Images

"We are seeing more and better athletes emerging from the Americas region.

"At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games we had history as Ecuador won gold for the first time and El Salvador secured their first ever medal, while Venezuela, Chile and Colombia had their most successful Games ever. 

"That’s why NPC Colombia is a fantastic mentor for this new initiative.

"I’m excited about how they will pass on their knowledge to and help grow the Paralympic Movement in Guatemala, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago."

Approximately $190,000 (£140,000/€166,000) is set to be invested in the latest project which sees IDB investment in Para sport in the Americas reach $1.5 million (£1.1 million/€1.3 million).

"We are excited to transfer the knowledge that we have learned in recent years and have the opportunity to be mentors to our fellow NPCs in the Americas region," said Julio Cesar Avila, President of the Colombian NPC.

"Thanks to the support of the IDB and the IPC, Paralympic sports have grown considerably in the region.

"Through it the number of athletes has increased, and we have more coaches and local leaders trained to teach in sports initiation.

"I am confident that together we will grow and strengthen the Paralympic Movement in the Americas."