Leading African para-athletes say the Commonwealth Games' inclusive format is making a meaningful difference to how disability is viewed across Africa. They argue that an integrated schedule, where para events are part of the wider Games programme, gives disabled athletes greater visibility and recognition.
According to the athletes, that shared platform helps challenge older assumptions about disability by presenting para sport as a central part of elite competition rather than something separate. In their view, the structure of the Games encourages audiences to see performance first and disability differently.
For African competitors, that visibility can carry added importance because sport often shapes broader public attitudes. When para-athletes compete within one major event, it can help expand awareness, raise respect for disabled athletes and support wider conversations about inclusion beyond the stadium.
Their comments highlight how the design of a major sporting event can influence social change as well as competition. By placing para sport within the heart of the Commonwealth Games, athletes say the event is helping shift perceptions and promote a more inclusive view of disability across the continent.
