Laureus World Sports Academy member and British Paralympics legend Grey Thompson Tanni will launch of the new initiative by the Rwanda NPC which will provide opportunities for recreation and sport for persons with disabilities on April 28.

The Laureus Global Public Relations Shelly Storm confirmed through an e-mail to Times Sport yesterday saying that Tanni will be at the ground-breaking project run by the Rwanda National Paralympics Committee in Kigali.

The  ‘Development  of  Sports  and  Rights  for  People with Disabilities’ project,  supported  by  the  Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, will help around 300 adult and 100 young people with disabilities.

The concept is to first train project leaders, local authorities, journalists and physical education teachers in the importance of adaptive sport techniques for people with disabilities and then to organize competitions and sporting activities to engage people with disabilities in Rwanda.

Tanni, who will meet the young people participating in the project, will also take in a specially arranged competition. During the event they will have the opportunity to hear about the project and talk to the famous Paralympian.

Tanni is Britain’s most successful wheelchair athlete. She was born with Spina Bifida and is paralyzed from the waist down.

Tanni’s first big achievement came when she represented Wales in the Junior National Games aged 15.

Her massive trophy haul now includes 11 Paralympics gold medals after victories in the T53 100m and T53 400m in Athens.

She was named a Dame in the New Year’s Honours List, adding to her MBE in 1993 and the OBE she was awarded in 1999.

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