Rawson, Argentina – Provincial officials in Chubut are setting ambitious goals for inclusive sports development, aiming to double the number of athletes with disabilities participating in organized programs this year. The initiative, spearheaded by Silvana Caraballo, Subgerente de Deporte Adaptado at Chubut Deportes, comes as the province prepares to host several key Para sports competitions, including the Juegos Para Epade in April.
Caraballo, speaking with Prensa CHUBUT DEPORTES, outlined a comprehensive plan for 2026 focused on expanding access and opportunity for athletes of all abilities. “It will be an important, interesting year, with a renewed team, so we have high expectations,” Caraballo said. “I will be in charge of the subgerencia de Deporte Adaptado, accompanied by Florencia Domínguez, Estefanía Guzmán and “Vanshi” Thomas. Obviously, that expands and unfolds, with the technicians and coordinators of the different zones, to try to secure the programs to reach as many people with disabilities in the province as possible.”
The province’s commitment to Para sports is underscored by its hosting of the Juegos Para Epade, a significant event that requires extensive preparation. “For us, it’s a source of pride to be the host, with everything that means,” Caraballo explained. “We are preparing fully given that we are working 24/7 to build this impeccable. We are assembling all the selections, taking into account that we have Para Epade and similarly the Juegos de la Integración Patagónica.”
Beyond the Juegos Para Epade, Chubut’s Para sports calendar includes the Juegos de la Integración Patagónica, Para Araucanía, and the Juegos Chubutenses para Personas con Discapacidad (PCD). These events are designed to foster inclusion and provide pathways for athletes to develop their skills and compete at higher levels. The Para Epade competitions will feature basketball and boccia in Rawson, and swimming and athletics in Comodoro Rivadavia. The Juegos de la Integración Patagónica, to be held in Tierra del Fuego, will include badminton, archery, and adapted table tennis.
The logistical challenges of hosting these events are considerable, but Caraballo expressed confidence in her team’s ability to deliver successful competitions. “It’s our turn to be the local organizers, with everything that entails. It’s important logistics, but we have a great team. We find four of us in the area, but we work in a unified way with all areas to ensure everything goes as well as possible.”
Caraballo emphasized a competitive spirit within the Chubut teams, stating, “In terms of sports, we want to win. This event is high-performance for us, so we are profiling this. In fact, it’s the first year we’ve had a preseason for athletics in the valley area, with the athletes who are shaping up to be part of the team. We always tell the kids that we have to give our best. If we do and win, great, but if we don’t win, the important thing is to leave everything on the field for the jersey of Chubut.”
A key component of Chubut’s long-term strategy is the Juegos Chubutenses (PCD), a developmental program targeting athletes aged 11-25. Caraballo explained that athletes with disabilities often reach peak performance later in life than their able-bodied counterparts, prompting the creation of this program. “The development and maturation of an athlete with a disability occurs later than a conventional one. That’s why we established the Juegos Chubutenses para Personas con Discapacidad, which runs from April to October. It’s our strength and our main objective. That would be our great seedbed, because that’s where our athletes come from and begin to develop towards high-performance programs like Para Epade, Para Araucanía and Juegos de la Integración Patagónica.”
The Juegos Chubutenses (PCD) currently include adapted athletics, swimming, wheelchair basketball, boccia, table tennis, badminton, and archery. The program aims to identify and nurture talent, providing a pathway for athletes to progress to national and international competitions.
Looking ahead, Caraballo and her team plan to embark on a province-wide tour to promote the program and encourage participation. “We need to head to the three main fronts: municipalities, physical education coordinators, and integration centers. Our final objective this year is to add as many people with disabilities to the Juegos Chubutenses and to sport as possible. If we had 400, we want to double that this year and have 800. We are working towards that.”
The initiative represents a significant investment in inclusive sports development in Chubut, and Caraballo’s leadership is expected to play a crucial role in achieving the province’s ambitious goals. The focus on grassroots development through the Juegos Chubutenses (PCD) is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to create a sustainable pipeline of talent for years to come. The province’s commitment to Para sports is not only providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities but also promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.
The next major checkpoint for Chubut’s Para sports program is the start of the Juegos Para Epade in April. Further updates on athlete selections, competition schedules, and logistical preparations will be released by Chubut Deportes in the coming weeks. Fans and stakeholders can follow the progress of the program through the official Chubut Deportes website and social media channels.
