Portugal Launches Lusophone Paralympic Mentorship Network
The Portuguese Paralympic Committee (CPP) is launching a transformative new initiative this week in Maputo, Mozambique, aimed at revolutionizing para-sports across the Portuguese-speaking world. The Lusophone Paralympic Mentorship Network, which begins its first stage on Tuesday, is designed to modernize structures and empower athletes throughout the Lusophone community.
A Collaborative Road to Los Angeles 2028
This cooperation program isn’t a one-off training session; it is a long-term commitment that stretches to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Project coordinator Jorge Carvalho told Lusa that the network represents a collective drive toward a “stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable Paralympic movement.”
The program will blend in-person training with ongoing remote mentorship. “This first stage aims to empower people, reinforce institutions, and create opportunities for athletes and coaches,” Carvalho explained. The project follows two main tracks: developing sports from the grassroots level to elite competition and improving administrative management to ensure these nations are well-represented at the highest levels of international sport.
Empowering Through Knowledge Sharing
José Manuel Lourenço, president of the CPP, described the initiative as the “materialization of an ambition” and a testament to Portugal’s leadership in the field. He emphasized that the partnership is a two-way street.
“The goal is not just to go and teach; we want to pass on knowledge while also learning from the experiences of these countries,” Lourenço said. By investing in coaches, managers, and athletes, the program seeks to create a lasting impact that survives long after the initial training sessions conclude.
Strategic Growth Across Africa
The initiative in Mozambique is backed by the local government, the municipality of Maputo, and both the Olympic and Paralympic committees of the host nation. Internationally, the program is supported by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) under its “Sport for Mobility” banner.
Mozambique is just the first stop in an ambitious expansion plan. The Lusophone Paralympic Mentorship Network is scheduled to reach Guinea-Bissau later this year. By 2027, the program plans to expand its footprint to São Tomé and Príncipe, Cape Verde, and Angola, ensuring a unified and modernized approach to para-sports across the continent.
Image: Pexels – Nadiia Doloh
