The South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled (SASAPD) is proud to see the continued growth and rollout of the 2026 Toyota SASAPD National Championships, set to take place in the Cape Winelands from 28–31 March 2026.
The championships will once again bring together hundreds of athletes, coaches and officials from across all nine provinces, competing across eight Para sport codes in what remains one of the most important events on the national Para sport calendar.
With strong momentum built from recent international participation and continued development across all codes, expectations are high for the 2026 edition. The championships not only showcase performance at national level, but also reflect the strength of the structures supporting Para sport across South Africa.
The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday, 28 March at 17:00 at the Coetzenburg Athletics Stadium in Stellenbosch. The ceremony will coincide with the evening session of the SASAPD Score Cape Winelands International, creating a combined platform that highlights both national and international Para athletics.
Coetzenburg Athletics Stadium will once again serve as the centre of the championships, hosting track and field competition from 29–31 March. The venue remains synonymous with excellence in South African Para athletics, having previously been the training base for athletes such as Fanie van der Merwe, Anrune Liebenberg, Ilse Hayes, Dyan Buis and Zanele Situ.
Today, that legacy continues with leading athletes including world and Paralympic champion Simone Kruger, alongside Paralympians Kerwin Noemdo and Paul Daniels, who continue to train and compete at the highest level.
Across the programme, all sport codes contribute to a unified championships environment. Boccia, following South Africa’s Paralympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games, will take place at the Coetzenburg Sport Centre from 28–31 March, while goalball will be hosted at the Department of Sport Science Games Hall at Stellenbosch University, with international referees supporting the development of local officials.
Para swimming will take place at the Coetzenburg Outdoor Swimming Pool on 29–30 March, with athletes entering the championships following recent international competition exposure at the Namibian National Championships.
Additional codes include powerlifting, CP football, Para judo and junior Para cycling, each contributing to the scale and diversity of the championships.
SASAPD President Jean Miggels emphasised the importance of the event, not only in terms of competition but also in shaping the future of athletes within the system.
“These Championships represent far more than medals and podium finishes. They are a platform of opportunity — a stage where dreams are ignited, talent is discovered, and futures are shaped. For many athletes, this is the gateway to international competition and ultimately the Paralympic Games. For all athletes, it is a testament to what is possible through discipline, perseverance and belief.”
As SASAPD prepares to host the 2026 championships, the focus remains on delivering a high-quality, inclusive and performance-driven event that continues to strengthen the national Para sport landscape.
