Leaders welcome Valledupar City for Para South American Youth Games

The contract designating Valledupar as the host city for the 2026 Para South American was officially signed by prominent representatives of several key institutions, such as the Ministry of Sports, Valledupar City Hall, Government of Cesar and the Colombian Paralympic Committee in a historic meeting held recently at the Valledupar City Hall in Colombia.

Mayor of Valledupar, Ernesto Miguel Orozco Doran, hailed the achievement, saying: "It is an honour for Valledupar to be selected as the host city for the Para South American Games 2026. We are eager to welcome athletes and visitors from across the region and show them the hospitality and warmth of our city."

Commenting on the signing, Executive Board member of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC), Christopher Samuda, said: "As the governing body for the Americas, the APC welcomes this milestone not only because it is history-making for para-sport but, more importantly, this dynamic multi-lateral partnership signals a solid commitment to the development of para youth and their self-actualisation beyond the boundaries of sport."

One of the APC's main objectives is to build a viable financial framework across borders in the region, and the successful delivery of games is critical.

With increasing costs of hosting international games, Chairman of APC's Finance Commission, Ryan Foster, lauded the signing as "an opportunity for games stakeholders to construct a business model that networks, cost-effectively into APC's financial eco-system. Why? Because we all breathe, live, play sport and conduct the business of sport in a regional village."

The connectedness of sport has always been an avenue for building relationships, and the city of Valledupa, known for its vibrant sporting culture, will take pride in 2026 in reinforcing the value of inclusion, mutuality and providing equal opportunities for the region youth in para-sport.