World Intellectual Impairment Sport Africa launched
Representatives from across Africa met in Cairo, Egypt, from 13-14 December to establish a new regional International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) organisation in Africa.
Hosted by the World Intellectual Impairment Sport member in Egypt – ESFID – administrators from Cameroon, Morocco, Sudan, Mauritius, Libya and Kenya attended the two day event.
The group formalised its structure, agreed a new constitutional document and discussed future plans – including an ambition to host the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport regional competition for the Africa Region in 2020.
Elections were also held for key positions including:
- Amal Mobadda (Egypt) who was elected as President
- Masher Mohamed (Sudan) – Vice President for North African nations
- Jean-Marie Malepa (Mauritius) – Vice President for South African nations
- Hamid Al-Aouny (Morocco) – Secretary General
- Ashraf Hussein (Egypt) – Treasurer
- Khaled Mohammed (Libya) – Member at Large
- Mohammed El Mazougy (Tunisia) – Member at Large
Masher Mohamed’s appointment is subject to the approval of Sudan’s World Intellectual Impairment Sport membership application.
World Intellectual Impairment Sport President, Marc Truffaut, said: “This gathering represents the most encouraging move in recent years towards establishing a much-needed World Intellectual Impairment Sport organisation in Africa.
“We are keen for more countries from the region to grow sport for athletes with an intellectual impairment and holding and attending competitions, and for those that already exist to be empowered to do the same.
“World Intellectual Impairment Sport sends it best wishes to those involved and we are grateful to ESFID for hosting this event and are excited to see the results.”
As well as creating World Intellectual Impairment Sport Africa, the group were also given introductions to eligibility and the work of World Intellectual Impairment Sport more generally.
