Persons with Disabilities in Sport Struggle for Support in a ‘Christian Nation’

By Given Banda

Zambia’s paralympic athletes are battling more than just competition—they’re fighting chronic funding shortages, inadequate equipment, and government neglect.

Despite these challenges, stars like Monica Munga (pictured) and Richard Lubanza continue to shine on the global stage, often at great personal cost. Munga, a decorated athlete, has had to fund her own training and travel, while Lubanza struggles with lack of support despite being Zambia’s only classified para powerlifter.

This financial strain, along with insufficient resources and recognition, significantly limits the ability of individuals with disabilities to succeed in sports. The lack of support undermines their potential and jeopardises their future prospects in the competitive Paralympic arena.

The paralympic games are an international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, held every four years, following the Olympic Games. The games feature athletes with various impairments and include both summer and winter competitions, with adapted sports like wheelchair basketball and para-swimming. Governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the games promote inclusivity, challenge perceptions of disability, and ensure fair competition for all athletes.

According to activists, the challenges facing sports for persons with disabilities stem from government policies dating back more than a decade. A key failure was the decision not to create a dedicated department for disability sports under the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Art—a move that left Paralympic athletes sidelined in funding and prioritization.

Munga, one of Zambia’s most decorated paralympians, embodies both the triumph and struggle of disability sports in the country. She won silver and gold medals at the 2019 Dubai qualifiers and participated in the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games. Despite these achievements, her journey has been marred by significant personal and financial sacrifices.

Winning those medals was a dream come true for Munga, but the journey was far from easy. Hailing from Chipata, she had to use her own money for transport and accommodation to train in Lusaka. Despite reassurances that funding had been secured, promises were often unfulfilled, leaving her and fellow athletes to cover their own expenses.

“We had to find ways to pay for our own travel, with the expectation that we would be reimbursed, but that never happened,” she explained. “As a person with albinism, training regardless of weather conditions—whether under the sun or in the rain—is a must. However, accessing sunscreen is a huge challenge. I need sunscreen to protect myself from the sun, but it’s often difficult to obtain.”

She further disclosed that the lack of proper support was also evident during the 2024 qualifiers in France. Monica and her fellow Paralympians were almost disqualified due to a lack of essential sporting kits. An emergency loan had to be arranged to provide basic items like sneakers and training gear, a situation she described as both shocking and discouraging.

Munga added that despite her passion for para sports, she feels like giving up.

“I want to keep going, but I can’t keep doing it on my own. If things don’t change, I may have to focus on other areas of my life,” she said.

Lubanza, the first Zambian para powerlifting male athlete to compete in the 2015 All African Games, shares a similar story. His experience during the 2023 World Championship in Dubai serves as an example. Despite being assured financial backing, he had to rely on his manager from London to cover his expenses, with no reimbursement received.

“It is even more depressing because I’m the only para powerlifter who is classified to compete at the international level. At times, it feels like we are forgotten,” Lubanza said. “We should not have to fight so hard just to receive the support that we deserve. The government needs to step up and fulfill its promises.”

MakanDay has learned that these challenges are not isolated but stem from structural decisions made over 15 years ago. In 2010, the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development decided not to establish a separate department for sports for persons with disabilities.

The thinking at the time was that creating such a department could lead to demands from other groups of persons with disabilities for similar structures. Instead, the ministry opted to manage disability sports under the Department of Sports Development, with the National Paralympics Committee of Zambia (NPCZ) tasked with overseeing the participation and development of athletes with disabilities.

This decision may have contributed to ongoing challenges in disability sports, particularly regarding funding delays and inclusivity gaps. With Paralympic sports managed under a broader framework, there is a risk that the specific needs of athletes with disabilities are overshadowed, leading to limited prioritization and inconsistencies in funding.

In early 2024, when Zambia’s athletes were scheduled to compete in Ghana, only the olympians received full government funding. Despite being equally prepared, paralympians were left behind due to a lack of financial support.

These financial struggles are not limited to individual athletes. The Wheelchair Basketball Association of Zambia also faces serious funding challenges.

According to the association president, David Mukwasa, they were only able to participate in the 2023 All-African Games after the government issued a commitment letter to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF). However, the pledged participation fee of $23,200 remains allegedly unpaid, resulting in penalties that now hinder future participation.

During the same trip, the government failed to cover accommodation costs of K55, 000, forcing the association to find alternative means of payment.

Mukwasa further revealed that these financial challenges led to the association missing out on the Under-23 Men’s Championship held in February 2025, which was won by South Africa. He also emphasised the need for a change in attitude towards sports for persons with disabilities in Zambia.

Additionally, promises made by the Ministry of Sport to provide five wheelchairs remain unfulfilled. Mukwasa expressed frustration over the government’s quick financial support for other sports, such as women’s football.

“How is it that the government can find money for the Copper Queens within days but has failed to support us?” he questioned.

These persistent funding challenges faced by Zambia’s paralympic athletes highlight a broader issue of resource allocation in sports. For instance, the National Paralympic Committee of Zambia (NPCZ), tasked with overseeing disability sports, operates on a severely limited budget.

According to NPCZ President John Kinuna, the committee receives a meagre and inconsistent grant of K17,000 monthly allocation from the Ministry of  Finance  coordinated by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts—a slight increase from the previous K12,000. Despite having an annual budget of K1.2 million, the NPCZ reportedly receives only K217,000, making it difficult to support athletes effectively.

Kinuna acknowledged that delayed payments have often left the NPCZ struggling to meet athletes’ basic needs. As a result, Paralympians frequently have to purchase their own training gear and cover travel expenses—an additional burden that not only impacts their ability to compete but also affects their morale.

He urged all sports associations to take a proactive approach in sourcing funds to change this situation. However, he noted that efforts are being made to address the financial challenges, including networking and collaborating with the National Olympic Committee, which is in a stronger financial position than the NPCZ.

“We have decided to integrate our programmes with those of the National Olympic Committee because they have better financial resources. This will allow our members to receive training in fundraising and skills management,” he said.

Lango Sinkamba served as the first president of the NPCZ from 2005 to 2011, when the NPCZ replaced the Zambia Sports Federation of the Disabled. A Paralympian himself, Sinkamba competed in men’s track and field at the 1996 Summer Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

During Sinkamba’s tenure as president, the NPCZ initially received significant funding from the Ministry of Sport, with K120 million (old currency) allocated in 2005. However, this funding was drastically reduced to K5 million (old currency), making it increasingly difficult for the NPCZ to support athletes’ needs.

In contrast, other countries in Africa, like South Africa and Kenya, have made significant progress in supporting their Paralympic athletes. For example, South Africa has established dedicated funding schemes and partnerships with private sponsors, ensuring athletes receive essential resources such as training kits, transport, and specialized coaching.

Similarly, Kenya’s National Paralympic Committee (KNPC) collaborates with the government and the private sector to secure consistent funding. On 14th February 2023, the Government of Japan, through its Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project (GCGP), provided $22,181 to KNPC for gym equipment to empower athletes with disabilities, benefiting 1,720 athletes and coaches.

Furthermore, Kenya’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027 emphasizes inclusivity by enhancing sports infrastructure, nurturing talent through sports academies, and ensuring fairness through compliance with international standards. The plan aligns with Kenya Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), positioning Kenya as a leader in sports development, including for athletes with disabilities.

Both Monica and Mukwasa believe the solution lies in diversifying funding sources. They emphasise the need for the NPCZ to actively seek private sponsorships rather than relying solely on government support. They noted that securing just a few sponsors would provide more stable and consistent funding.

Photo Credit | NOC – Munga at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games held from August 28 to September 8, 2024, in Paris, France.

Given is a fellow in the 2024 MakanDay training programme