The 2026 Toyota SASAPD National Championships officially got underway in Stellenbosch on Saturday, 28 March, marking the start of four days of high-performance competition and national pride in the Cape Winelands.

The official opening ceremony took place at the Coetzenburg Athletics Stadium, forming part of the broader programme for the 2026 SASAPD Score Winelands International. The ceremony brought together athletes, officials and stakeholders in a celebration of resilience, performance and the continued growth of disability sport in South Africa.

The Championships received strong support at the highest level, with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and Barry Hendricks in attendance, highlighting the importance of the event within the national sporting landscape.

Addressing the athletes, Minister McKenzie emphasised the need for increased investment and support for disability sport, announcing plans for a new fully supported competition:
“We are going to have a new competition which we will discuss with the President, where you will all compete and we will pay for everything. I will make sure that the department puts in 10 million rand to the event and it must be the best event on the calendar for you.”

SASAPD President Jean Miggels reinforced the federation’s vision:
“Inclusion is not merely a principle for us — it is our mission. Accessibility is not an option — it is our responsibility. Development is not a slogan — it is our commitment. From grassroots participation to elite performance, we stand united in advancing disability sport across our nation.”

The Championships will continue through to Tuesday, 31 March, with competition taking place across multiple venues in Stellenbosch.