Luxembourg Paralympic Committee

The Project

The Luxembourg Paralympic Committee (LPC) aims to create a broader range of sports for people with disabilities in Luxembourg and to promote inclusion in sports clubs. Both the LPC and the Fédération Luxembourgeoise des Arts Martiaux (FLAM) had taken initial steps in para-judo independently, and it was time to launch a pilot project to elevate our activities to a professional level.

The JuDoYourBest project is a collaboration between the LPC and FLAM, targeting people with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments. We offer weekly para-judo training sessions, promote inclusion in judo clubs, and train judo coaches through specifically tailored para workshops. We are also developing a script that compiles essential tips and tricks for training people with disabilities.

Having a project partner as competent and open as FLAM is fantastic, and together we have launched this pilot project, which has already yielded excellent results in such a short time.

Execution

The training sessions, initially offered weekly, were well-attended from the start, and we now organize several sessions each week. Some individuals have already been integrated into FLAM sports clubs, with one athlete even participating in the national championships for the sighted. Additionally, a two-day continuing education program for para-judo coaches was organized last year in cooperation with the Ecole nationale de l’éducation physique et des sports (ENEPS).

I am always delighted to see the enthusiasm of the coaches when they use the special equipment that makes them visually impaired during training, but especially the enthusiasm of the athletes as they gradually learn judo techniques.

Of course, we would like even more people to benefit from our offer. This is why we organized a para-judo workshop during the Paralympic Days 2022 to gain more visibility. We also wish to intensify our collaboration with the Centre pour le développement des compétences relatives à la vue (CDV) to offer special training sessions there.

Objective

Our mission is to provide physical and sports activities for people with disabilities. In Luxembourg, we are not yet at the point where all sports activities and clubs are open to people with disabilities.

Therefore, we truly wish to establish the idea of this project in Luxembourg by launching similar initiatives with other federations and in other sports disciplines. This way, we can promote inclusion through sports and, in collaboration with the federations, develop and improve sports opportunities for people with disabilities in Luxembourg. We can bring about positive change, and sports are an excellent tool for healthy social integration.

This project was supported as part of the Activate – make your move call for projects.