The WPVF received numerous applications from individuals from 15 countries in 2025. Once again, we were overwhelmed and excited by the response we received in this second year of WPVF grants. It was a very difficult decision for the WPVF board members.
Jolan Wong – Canada
At the age of 12, I was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that resulted in the amputation of my right leg. I was an avid athlete, specializing in football. After realizing that losing my dominant leg would have a huge impact on achieving my goals of playing for Team Canada, I shifted my focus to a sport with a level playing field: sitting volleyball. As a teenage girl with a disability, this took a lot of courage.
I’ve been with the Canadian national team for 17 seasons, since I was 18. I have helped the sport of sitting volleyball in Canada from its roots all the way to the podium at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris without missing a beat. From the very beginning, my goal was to compete in the Paralympic Games and show others that having a disability would not hinder my athletic abilities. I am a mentor on my team and continually help recruit and develop new athletes and show them that they too can achieve great things.
June Kawanami – Japan
Within our club team, individuals from all backgrounds – both with and without disabilities – unite in pursuit of the shared and ambitious goal of achieving national championship victory. We maintain consistent, purposeful communication and undergo rigorous daily training through mutual support and collaboration. As a direct result of these sustained efforts, our placings in national competitions have steadily improved.
The bonds of trust between teammates striving for national titles have become increasingly robust, and we have come to more deeply recognize the transformative power of collective effort.
As a member of the national team, I maintain a strong sense of responsibility befitting a representative athlete and remain unwavering in my commitment to showing respect for others. I am constantly focused on cultivating constructive relationships, promoting collaboration and uplifting each other through shared discipline and ambition.
Above all, I believe that embodying the ideal of an athlete requires resolute courage: the willingness to embrace challenges without fear of failure. By continuously pursuing higher goals, I want to inspire the people around me and instill both energy and courage.
My efforts have encouraged many of my colleagues to take on new challenges themselves. These collective efforts have strengthened those around us and motivated them to participate more actively in meaningful contributions to society.
Ekwuribe Lucky Chidozie – Nigeria
Determination is what gets me and my teammates through our daily grind. It’s the urge to get one more rep, to dive one more ball, long after our bodies are tired. This sport has taught us that boundaries are often just a starting point. My dedication to training and to pushing my teammates to be better is our living proof of determination.
Courage was the first value we all had to embrace. It takes courage to adapt, to face physical challenges and to compete. Every time we step onto the field, we choose to overcome fear and doubt and show our community what is possible.
Inspiration is a responsibility we bear. We don’t just play to be inspired; we play because we love this game. But if our journey – our struggles and successes – can show others in Port Harcourt that disability does not define your potential, then we are fulfilling our role. Our efforts on the field are for every young person who is looking and wants to see a way forward.
Equality can be found on our field. Once the whistle blows, it doesn’t matter what your background is. All that matters are your skills, your strategy and your heart. Paravolley is a powerful equalizer and I am proud to build a team where everyone is judged by their abilities, not their disabilities.
Liliane Mukobwankawe – Rwanda
I strive to inspire by example and encouragement. I take a positive, proactive approach that motivates athletes to see what they can achieve is is possible, not what is not. Sharing stories of growth and celebrating even small achievements helps athletes recognize their own potential and inspires a culture of progress. I also want to inspire the wider community by promoting the visibility of parasport, showing that adaptive sport is not just about overcoming disabilities. It’s about showcasing talent, skill and passion on an equal footing with any sport.
Coach GBETO Judicael Claver Elyon – Benin
I serve and inspire my community by opening training doors to all youth, without distinction of gender, race, etc., and helping athletes become self-driven, integrate and succeed. My involvement in parasport and community activities positively impacts those around me by promoting inclusion and diversity in sport, creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities, developing skills and confidence in young athletes, and providing mentorship and support to athletes and their families.
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