Adapted physical activity in Africa: problems and the way forward

Abstract

There is paucity of literature, both in international journals and the World Wide Web, on the status and practise of adapted physical activity (APA) in the different African countries. Despite the promises, in the constitutions of various African gorvenments, to guarantee equality of rights and opportunities to all their citizens, people with disabilities have been largely neglected and ostracized. In this paper, efforts were made to review issues affecting the development of APA on the African continent. Challenges facing a number of African counties were identified and discussed. To address the pertinent issues, relevant literature was received and analyzed. The content analysis method was used to identify and discuss the issues.Issues were identified under: a) Governments of various African nations, b) Parents and Guardians of children with disabilities,c) Establishment of separate Ministry of Sport, d) APA professionals, e) Colonizations and language barriers. To strengthen the field of APA, formation of strong professional bodies and collaboration among allied professionals on the African continent were recommended, among others.