VPC President Huynh Vinh Ai noted that there are more than 6 million people with disabilities in Vietnam, accounting for 6.11% of the population, with many of them suffering from war consequences. Sports serve as a vital means for them to build confidence, improve health, and integrate into society.

The VPC, formerly the Vietnam Sports Association for the Disabled, was established in 1995. Over the past 30 years, the physical activity and sports movement for the group has grown strongly in many localities. Forty-five out of the 63 provinces and cities now have a flourishing movement. Up to 35 localities regularly send athletes to national tournaments which attract 1,300 participants annually, while the number of people with disabilities engaging in physical and sports activities is over 25,000.

Vietnamese athletes have also earned many medals at regional and global events, including the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, where Vietnam secured one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, ranking 55th out of 162 countries and territories.

During the meeting, the VPC proposed several support measures, calling on the IPC to give equipment and infrastructure assistance to develop sports in the community, implement projects to foster the Paralympic movement, and provide overseas training for doctors. The VPC also asked for support for athlete participation in international qualifying events for the 2028 Paralympic Games in the US.

IPC President Andrew Parsons acknowledged Vietnam’s growing Paralympic movement and affirmed the IPC’s commitment to helping local people with disabilities access sports so as to promote their integration into society.

He also noted that people with disabilities make up about 15% of the global population, and strengthening support for them through member organisations remains a central mission of the IPC./.