African para-athletes praise Commonwealth Games inclusivity

African para-athletes praise the inclusivity of the Commonwealth Games' integrated schedule, stating it is helping to change African attitudes towards disability. Unlike the Paralympics, there is no separate event for para-sports at the Games, meaning medals won by disabled and non-disabled competitors contribute equally to a nation's tally. This process began in Manchester in 2002, making it the first fully inclusive international multi-sport Games. Swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe, Uganda's team captain in Glasgow, told BBC World Service, "Sport really is a huge pusher for change."

Kukundakwe added, "It shows that para-swimming or para-sport just deserves the same kind of recognition, funding, sponsoring." The Games were originally supposed to be held in the Australian state of Victoria, but it dropped out in July 2023 due to funding issues. Glasgow stepped in as a slimmed-down replacement, resulting in 10 sports being cut from the schedule. Despite this, a record 47 para events will take place across six of the 10 remaining sports. Mauritian wheelchair racer Noemie Alphonse said, "We are able to showcase what we are able to do and our sports also." She added, "We are seen as on the same level." Alphonse also stated, "We are really happy that the mindset changed and they are seeing that we are able to contribute to our country." Kukundakwe is 19.