Implementation

Broadcasting and Community Engagement

We experimented with community engagement initiatives around the Tokyo 2020 broadcasts (e.g. local commentary, mobile screenings, theatre for development, media engagement) to gain insights around how Para sport can be used as tool to social inclusion in communities using qualitative and action research methods. 

Why?  

The first ever free-to-air broadcast of a Paralympic Games to Sub Saharan Africa, provided a unique platform to learn and innovate around Para sport and disability stigma in a local context.

The strategy was to use in-depth research and to learn from local practice and voices in the context of Malawi. Findings and toolkits aim to inform further initiatives and programming  

Para-athlete development

We strengthened Para Sport systems by implementing IPC led athlete development and education programmes and used qualitative and action research methods to reflect on implementation processes.

Why?

Without systems, there will be no pathway for Para athletes to develop and nothing to talk about in terms of broadcasting. This work spread across Ghana, Zambia and Malawi, although the biggest step change was seen in Malawi. Findings and toolkits aim to inform further initiatives and programme.   

Overall, we aimed to understand local contexts and learn from local voices around stigma to inform future strategies and initiatives to aid AT adoption.

Project data set development

  Broadcast Community Engagement Athletic Development
Who University of Malawi, Loughborough University London, Centre for Social Research University of Malawi, Loughborough University London University of Ghana, University of Malawi, Loughborough University London
Where Malawi Malawi Malawi, Ghana, Zambia
When Data collection period: 2021 Data collection period: 2021-2023 Data collection period: 2021-2022
What

Audience focus group discussion on Tokyo Paralympic Games TV coverage. N= 84 urban centres (men only, women only, mixed)

Expert interviews on broadcast production.

Content analysis of Tokyo Paralympic Games highlights (13 x English language, 2 x Chichewa-language)

Phase 1

  • Tokyo 2020 community engagement experiments - Chichewa language commentary
  • Mobile screenings
  • Theatre for development
  • Before and after interviews, observations, field notes, video
  • N=360

Phase 2

  • Prototype of Making Noise toolkit - workshop and implementation of action plan to use Para sport as a  platform for social change
  • N=12

Phase 3

  • Evidence from the first two phases played a crucial role in the government incorporating Para sports into its policies

Interviews with athletes N=121 and coaches N=30

Observation of programme implementation