The Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) was established in 2008  and is the successor of the Jamaica Paraplegic Association which was formed by the late Sir John Golding in 1966. The JPA is the national body for sports for persons who are physically challenged and visually impaired.

The JPA has oversight responsibility for the Parish Federations, Boccia Jamaica, Jamaica Wheelchair Basketball Federation (JWBF), and the  Jamaica Disability Cricket Federation (JACF). It is responsible for various competitive sports programs notably track & field, wheelchair basketball, table tennis, cricket, swimming, pistol shooting, and archery. Under the aegis of the JPA, athletes have participated in several international events including but not limited to, the Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee’s World Athletics Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Para Pan-American Games, and the Central American & Caribbean Wheelchair Basketball Games.

The JPA is primarily funded by private donations, a stipend from the Sports Development Foundation, a government-owned entity, and corporate Jamaica.

Our History & Heritage

Our athletes have a very enviable tradition at international championships garnering over the years several gold, silver, and bronze medals and establishing world and regional records. The strains of the national anthem have been heard in many countries as our athletes have stood with pride and glory in receiving gold medals for exceptional performances. The JPA considers its mandate not only to encourage excellence in competing and performing but also to engender in our athletes and officials alike a spirit of fair play, justice, and equity that promotes character and nation-building.

Those who had gone before and excelled have taken their rightful places in civil society and have made sterling contributions to many endeavors and have by their accomplishments served to reform positively, societal perceptions of the disabled and disabilities

Success is not only quantitative but more importantly qualitative. Victory is not only winning but self-actualizing. Conquest is not only territorial but more importantly a landmark.