La Relève Benin

Context

Despite the efforts of Benin’ s policies to promote the well-being of people living with disabilities, the country still struggles with a multitude of harmful beliefs. People with disabilities lack knowledge about or do not practice sport. In 2018, there were approximately 92,495 people with disabilities in the country. The country lacks an inclusive approach for persons living with disabilities when it comes to sport.

“La Relève Benin” wishes not only to make the necessary opportunities available to people with disabilities, but also to ensure that Benin is able to compete inclusively in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Objectives

• Promote the practice of sport among people with disabilities;
• To foster the emergence of prospective Paralympic champions;
• To improve the standard of living and practice of inclusive sports for athletes with a disability;
• To ease the professional integration of people with disabilities;
• Introduction of new sporting disciplines for people with a disability;
• Screening sessions for Paralympic athletes for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024;
• Providing support for young people to participate in international Paralympic competitions.

Activities

• Introduction of new sporting disciplines for people with disability;
• Screening sessions for Paralympic athletes for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024;
• Providing support for young people to participate in international Paralympic competitions;
• Implementation of a specialised support programme for high-potential athletes (adapted professional integration and preparation for qualification meetings);
• Renovating sports facilities to allow athletes with reduced mobility access to the game areas of Benin’s main cities (ramps, bars, etc.).

Impacts

• Inclusive practice of sport for people living with a disability;
• Selection and training of Paralympic athletes for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games;
• Raising awareness on disability in the city’ s periphery;
• Inclusive understanding of disability amongst the Beninese population;
• Emancipation of people with disabilities.

Photo credit : Beninese Paralympic National Committee