Jamaica Paralympic Association President Christopher Samuda has called for serious and sustained funding to address one of the Paralympic movement’s most persistent challenges — athlete classification — warning that rising costs, limited accessibility, and a shortage of trained classifiers continue to threaten the integrity of Para sport.

Samuda made the appeal while addressing an International Classification Conference in Moscow, Russia, where representatives from more than 50 countries gathered to tackle key issues under the theme “Actual Issues in Classification in Para Sport.”

“Classification is a challenge for many countries and the perennial complaint is one of expense and accessibility,” he said, proposing that funding be secured on a continental basis, directed towards countries with the greatest need for classifier training, certification, and athlete assessment.

Classification lies at the heart of the Paralympic movement, determining athlete eligibility and ensuring fair competition. Samuda argued that without adequate financial resources, a sustainable and equitable system cannot be built.

“If we are to implement a sustainable programme for classification, it requires serious funding. It takes cash to care — but you first have to create it and, more importantly, you need to care for the cash lest the well run dry,” he said.

The conference, hosted by the Russian Paralympic Committee, also examined the 2025 IPC Classification Code, scientific approaches to athlete assessment, and the prevention of intentional misrepresentation. A resolution addressing financial and policy matters was expected when discussions concluded on September 5.

SOURCE: AmberNews