The Cape Verdean National Paralympic Committee (NPC) President Rodrigo Bejarno was joined at the official opening by the country's President Jorge Carlos Fonseca and Minister of Education and Sports, Fernanda Marques.

Berjarno was elected as President of the Cape Verdean NPC in September last year, replacing Ana Hopffer Almada.

Several chief executives of sponsoring companies and partner organisations were also present, along with members of the media.

Situated around 350 miles (570 kilometres) off the west African coast, Cape Verde has a population of just over 500,000 and has been a member of the Paralympic Movement since 1999.

Marcio Miguel Da Costa Fernandes was the only Cape Verdean athlete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games ©Getty Images



The country has never appeared at a Winter Paralympics and made its Summer Paralympic Games debut at Athens 2004.

Powerlifter Paulo Cesar Tavares and discus throwers Paulo Cesar Correira and Artimiza Sequeira represented the island in Greece.

Sequeira went on to compete at Beijing 2008 in discus, javelin and shot put while Marcio Miguel Da Costa Fernandes was the sole representative at London 2012, where he competed in the T44 100 metres and 200m as well as the F44 javelin competition.

Cape Verde has yet to win a Paralympic medal.

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