The competition will take place in July in the city of Londrina, southern Brazil

The Londrina Institute of Education for Exceptional Children (Ilece) will host the 1st International Pan-American Para Badminton Open from July 20 to 24 at the Moringão Gymnasium, in Londrina. The competition, whose master sponsor is Itaipu Binacional, is supported by the Confederação Brasileira de Badminton (CBBd), the Federação Paranaense de Badminton (BFP), and the Fundação de Esportes de Londrina (FEL).

The expectation is to bring together up to 150 athletes from Brazil and countries such as Paraguay, Argentina, and even China. According to Ilece physical education teacher and coach Edmundo Novais, registration is still open. “The full list of teams has not yet been finalized,” he says.
The athletes will compete in nine categories: seven for people with physical disabilities, one for intellectual disabilities, and another for athletes with Down syndrome.

]“Sport plays a fundamental role in promoting social inclusion, expanding opportunities, valuing diversity, and strengthening people’s autonomy. By supporting the 1st International Pan-American Para Badminton Open, Itaipu reaffirms its commitment to initiatives that transform lives and generate a positive impact on communities,” says Enio Verri, Brazilian director-general of Itaipu Binacional.

Para badminton at Ilece

Ilece currently supports around 50 para badminton athletes. At least 20 of them are expected to participate in the international competition, including Saulo Mantovani, national para badminton champion at the School Paralympics held last year in São Paulo.

Despite the master sponsorship from Itaipu Binacional, the tournament organizers are seeking new sponsors to expand the structure offered to athletes traveling to Londrina. According to Edmundo Novais, the initial plan is to provide collective accommodation for delegations, but the goal is to secure funding to offer hotel lodging and meals for participants.

“We have planned collective accommodation for the athletes. It would be perfect if, instead of collective lodging, we could accommodate them in hotels. With the budget we currently have, we are unable to provide meals for everyone. That will be the responsibility of each delegation. Covering meals for all participants is another example of what we could do if we secure additional sponsors,” says Edmundo Novais.