Awane and Sikhosana turn Accra gold into a Paris qualification opportunity
The ITF’s year-end review highlighted the African Para Games’ role in the Paralympic tennis pathway.
Morocco’s Najwa Awane and South Africa’s Alwande Sikhosana featured in the ITF’s 2023 review after winning wheelchair tennis singles gold at the inaugural African Para Games in Accra.
Champions in Accra
Sikhosana won the men’s event without losing a set. Awane recovered from a set down against Nigeria’s Kafayat Omisore in the women’s semi-final, winning a deciding tie-break, before defeating compatriot Samira Benichi 6–1, 6–2 in the final.
A route towards Paris
The African competition was one of four regional multi-sport events featuring ITF-sanctioned wheelchair tennis that year. Men’s and women’s singles champions gained automatic Paris 2024 qualification places, subject to the ITF’s additional eligibility requirements. The December review documented how success in Accra created an international opportunity, while retaining the distinction between winning a qualification place and satisfying every condition for Paralympic participation.