The Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) has announced that cerebral palsy (CP) football and sitting volleyball will be added to the schedule in the Brazilian city for the Games, which will take place between March 20 and 25 next year.

Athletics, boccia, football five-a-side, goalball, judo, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis have been retained on the programme.

About 1,000 athletes aged between 12 and 21 are expected to compete in São Paulo, at the fourth edition of the Games.

That will be an increase from the 631 who competed in Buenos Aires, with most of the action due to take place at the Brazilian Paralympic Committee's (BPC) new Training Centre.

Jose Luis Campo, President of the APC, said: “Since the first edition of the Parapan American Youth Games in 2005 in Venezuela, they have grown in size and stature each time.

“The confirmation of the 12 sports for the 2017 edition will ensure that these Games will be the biggest Youth Parapan American Games ever staged.

“We are delighted to welcome CP Football and sitting volleyball to the sports programme as it is important that youngsters get the opportunity to experience competition at the highest level.

“By staging this event in Brazil, we aim to build on the legacy of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and encourage more youngsters in the continent to try and compete in Para-sport.”

Andrew Parsons, President of the BPC and vice president of the International Paralympic Committee, said: "To have more sports added to the programme of the 2017 Youth Parapan American Games is an important step to keep promoting Para-sports in Brazil and the continent following the Rio 2016 Games.

"The fact the event will be held in the new Paralympic Training Centre in São Paulo makes us proud of the legacy and the impact the Games have in our country.

"The 2016 Paralympic Games will inspire the new generations as we expect to have even more young athletes from all countries in the region."