Thirteen countries benefit from Kit us Out support

IPC Powerlifting has been joined by countries in extending its thanks to equipment charity Kit us Out after 16 athletes received lifting suits to compete in at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The donation follows on from suits donated for the 2015 IPC Powerlifting European Open Championships, with more major competitions to come where Kit us Out will provide the same service.

In Rio, suits were provided to Cuba, El Salvador, Ghana, Indonesia, Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Philippines and Togo, as part of a strategy to assist developing countries in the sport.

Peter Adjei, head coach of Ghana, said: “My deepest gratitude goes to Kit us Out for their support and agenda to assist less privileged nations to acquire kit. On behalf of my athlete [Charles Narh Teye], my NPC [National Paralympic Committee] and the whole powerlifting fraternity, I say thank you for your donation and may we put it to good use to make you proud.”

Kit Us Out was established on the basis that access to equipment or funding should not prevent Para athletes from representing their countries. Since providing their first pieces of equipment to competitors at London 2012, including powerlifters, they have worked at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and other events.

Suits will also be provided to countries at the 2017 IPC Powerlifting World Championships in Mexico City and 2018 Americas Open Championships in Cartagena, Colombia, European Open Championships in Berck-sur-Mer, France and Asian Open Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan.