Wheelchair Basketball: The DRC's U25 Women's Leopards call for state support for the 2027 World Cup

The Democratic Republic of Congo's U25 women's wheelchair basketball Leopards have qualified for the 2027 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Brazil in February. They secured their spot in Kinshasa by winning the continental championship in their category, finishing with a decisive 60-24 victory over Kenya in the final. On October 2, 2026, organizations representing people with disabilities submitted a memorandum to President Félix Tshisekedi to demand state support, reports Actualite.cd.

The document, signed on behalf of the associative movement, starts from a simple observation: "this qualification is a source of pride for the Democratic Republic of Congo." The signatories are requesting medical and paramedical support, appropriate nutrition, compliant sports equipment, professional preparation, dignified travel and accommodation conditions, as well as vocational training after their careers and social protection mechanisms.

A national framework and a transparent budget

The organizations propose the establishment of a national support structure bringing together public institutions, the federation, the private sector, civil society, and technical partners, accompanied by accountability obligations and transparent budget publication. They also suggest a popular mobilization campaign under the slogan "Our Leopards, our pride, our commitment."

Congolese disability sports face a funding wall

On that same day, October 2, 2026, in Kinshasa, the Congolese National Paralympic Committee launched a convergent appeal. "These athletes are asking for neither compassion nor privilege," summarized Léon Kimpempe Amisi, as quoted by Radio Okapi: they are asking for the means to represent their country with dignity. The committee highlights insufficient funding, a lack of adapted equipment, inaccessible infrastructure, and a deficit in specialized support.

Four events are in their sights: the first Congolese Paralympic Games, from November 19 to December 3, 2026, in Kinshasa; the African Deaf Football Cup in Addis Ababa; the IBSA (sports for the blind and visually impaired) competitions in Gaborone; and the women's wheelchair basketball World Cup in Brazil.

The message delivered in Kinshasa goes beyond sports. These players became continental champions with limited resources; asking them to then challenge the world without a structure turns an achievement into an exception. The right to sport is among the rights that Africa must guarantee to all its children, including those whom stadiums too often forget.