The Sud-Kivu team, from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has won the first-ever national amputee football championship. They defeated the Nord-Kivu team in the final, which took place on September 26, 2026, in Sud-Kivu. The match ended in a 0-0 draw after regular time, with Sud-Kivu winning 3-0 in a penalty shootout.
The championship, which took place from September 23-26, 2026, brought together over 30 elite athletes from three provinces: Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, and Tanganyika. The competition was organized by the Congolese National Paralympic Committee (CNP-COD) and supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The event aimed to promote inclusion and reconstruction through sports.
The CNP-COD president, Betty Miangindula, expressed her satisfaction with the tournament, highlighting the talent and determination of the players. She emphasized that the handicap should not define a person or limit their potential. The tournament aimed to raise awareness about the importance of respecting people with physical disabilities.
Many participating athletes are survivors of armed conflicts and recurrent violence in eastern DR Congo. Before participating in the championship, they underwent a long process of physical and mental reconstruction, including surgical care, psychological follow-up, physiotherapy, and equipment, at medical institutions supported by the ICRC.
The ICRC provided crucial logistical and financial support for the event, including 70 pairs of adjustable crutches, 20 footballs, and three sets of jerseys. Eliane Chahwane, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Sud-Kivu, highlighted the importance of the tournament in promoting autonomy, inclusion, and full participation in community life.
The championship marks a significant milestone for the CNP-COD, which used the event to conduct its first official talent detection, laying the groundwork for the creation of the DR Congo national amputee football team. The tournament was played in accordance with international standards for amputee football, with teams consisting of seven players, including a goalkeeper amputated in one arm.
The Sud-Kivu team's victory marks a new beginning for amputee football in DR Congo. The championship demonstrated the potential of sports as a tool for reconstruction and inclusion. The event also highlighted the importance of supporting people with disabilities and promoting their participation in community life.
Key points
- The Sud-Kivu team won the championship by defeating the Nord-Kivu team 3-0 in a penalty shootout.
- The championship was organized by the CNP-COD with the support of the ICRC.
- The event marked a significant milestone in the development of amputee football in DR Congo.
