Malawi NPC and Nigeria’s Patience Igbiti receive IPC recognition
African recipients were honoured for advancing women’s opportunities and leadership in Para sport.
Malawi’s National Paralympic Committee and Nigerian Para powerlifting coach Patience Igbiti were among the recipients of the IPC’s 2023 International Women’s Day Recognition Awards, announced on 8 March.
Women in decision-making
Malawi won the NPC category for its work on inclusion. The IPC traced part of that development to a 2018 leadership programme delivered with the African Paralympic Committee. Following elections in 2022, the Malawian board had equal representation of women and men.
Recognition for sustained leadership
Igbiti received the Leadership award after decades of involvement as an athlete, coach and advocate. The IPC highlighted her mentoring, support for women’s participation and contribution to training and competition opportunities. Together, the awards recognised work extending beyond medals: widening access to coaching, administration and decision-making, and building environments in which women could develop careers throughout Para sport.