South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Monica Agum Awet, stated that South Sudan’s recent admission as member number 193 of the International Paralympic Committee will significantly enhance para sports in the country.
“This admission means that persons with disabilities in South Sudan will now have the opportunity to participate in all para sports activities and competitions at the regional, continental, and global levels,” Awet said in an interview on Monday.
Awet explained that a delegation from South Sudan travelled to South Korea on September 26, 2025, to attend the International Paralympic Committee General Assembly and to witness the official admission of the National Paralympic Committee.
She praised the Korean Paralympic Committee for their support in facilitating the South Sudanese delegation’s attendance at the General Assembly.
“They provided us with both moral and financial support, dedicating their time to the Paralympic Committee. They helped us form the National Committee, and last Saturday, we officially became part of the International Paralympic Committee,” Awet noted.
“As a ministry, we are committed to collaborating with the National Paralympic Committee on all their programmes. This is an opportunity for our disabled community to showcase their talents, and we will support them fully,” she added.
Peter Baptist Abaker, president of the National Paralympic Committee and technical advisor to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, remarked that the admission to the International Paralympic Committee will accelerate the development of para sports across the country.
“Attending the International Paralympic Committee General Assembly was not easy for the ministry, but we sought assistance from the Koreans since they were the organisers. This is a historic event that enables us to engage in all activities for people with disabilities,” Abaker explained.
He also revealed that South Sudan has already established wheelchair basketball in Western Bahr El Ghazel, Lakes State, and Central Equatoria State, along with amputee football in nearly all states across the country.
“Being part of the International Paralympic Committee means our disabled athletes will represent us internationally. We have blind football, tennis, and judo, and we are eligible to participate in various sports,” he stated.
