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

Mayor of  Valledupar, Ernesto Miguel Orozco Dorán, in hailing the achievement said: “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 principal objectives of the APC is to build a viable financial framework cross-borders in the region and the successful delivery of games is a critical determinant.

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 youth of the region in para-sport.