IPC appoints Membership Engagement Committee

Malawi Paralympic Committee President James Chiutsi has been appointed as Chairperson of the IPC Membership Engagement Committee following the conclusion of a recruitment drive.

Joining Chiutsi on the Committee are Australian Paralympian and lawyer Annabelle Williams; Swedish Sports Organisation for the Disabled and Swedish Paralympic Committee President Åsa Llinares Norlin; National Paralympic Committee Peru President Lucha Villar; and IPC Governing Board member and three-time Paralympian Chelsey Gotell PLY. All were appointed by the IPC Governing Board on the recommendation of the IPC’s Nominations Panel who assessed all applications and conducted interviews with prospective candidates.

The IPC Membership Engagement Committee is responsible for advising the IPC Governing Board on ideas and proposals for optimising services to members, identifying opportunities and challenges affecting members; and improving two-way communication channels with members. The Committee may also advise on such other matters within its area of responsibility as the IPC Governing Board may request.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “Increasing engagement with our members and ensuring we are providing the right services for them to thrive is a top priority for the IPC. This Committee brings together a wealth of experience and will be extremely valuable for the IPC Governing Board as we look to serve our members and athletes to advance the Paralympic Movement.”

James Chiutsi said: “I am honoured to join this esteemed committee and contribute to strengthening the global Paralympic Movement.

“I will draw on my experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders across Africa and internationally, always grounded in listening and shared learning. By strengthening inclusive structures and encouraging open, constructive dialogue, we can create space for meaningful participation and lasting impact.

“Throughout my journey, I’ve seen the power of sport to challenge stigma and transform perceptions of disability — especially when we elevate local voices and foster genuine collaboration.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited to work alongside committed colleagues to ensure every member of our Movement feels heard, supported, and empowered.”

Since Chiutsi’s appointment as President of the Malawi Paralympic Committee in 2014 he has had a tremendous impact not just in his home country but across Africa.

He has also overseen the strengthening of Para sport governance and administration structures, leading to greater encouragement of athletes and volunteers in the Paralympic Movement. He led the creation of an ecosystem of stakeholders that is supporting sport for persons with disabilities, while measures implemented at the Malawi Paralympic Committee have received numerous local and international awards.

Under his leadership, Malawi has hosted sanctioned international sport competitions for the first time, as well as the IPC’s first regional training event. Committed to developing Para sport, the number of Para athletes in Malawi has grown from 20 in one sport in 2019 to more than 500 across several sports thanks to the establishment of numerous Para sport programmes. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, two athletes – one male, one female - represented the country.

Chiutsi has recognised the power of Para sport to help change society. He served as project lead for the Para Sport Against Stigma initiative, championed Para sport’s inclusion in school sports curriculums and promoted the IPC’s own education programme, I’mPOSSIBLE. He has also spearheaded the drive for gender equality within the Malawi Paralympic Committee, achieving 50/50 gender balance in its leadership team.

In addition to his role with the Malawi Paralympic Committee, Chiutsi is the Chairperson of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five Sport for Persons with Disabilities (SPWD) Committee, leading the Southern Africa 10-member country block, ensuring countries develop strong Paralympic structures and follow work plans that deliver results.

The IPC Membership Engagement Committee aims to meet three times a year.