The Board of Directors of the World ParaVolley Foundation is excited to announce the 2025 World ParaVolley Foundation Grant recipients!

The WPVF received numerous applications from individuals from 15 nations in 2025.  Once again, we were overwhelmed and enthusiastic about the response received in this second year of WPVF grants. It was a very tough decision for the WPVF board members.

Jolan Wong – Canada

At the age of 12, I was diagnosed with Osteogenic-sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that resulted in the amputation of my right leg. I was an avid athlete, specializing in soccer. After the realization that losing my dominant leg was going to have a huge impact on me reaching my goals of playing for team Canada, I shifted my focus to a sport that had an even playing field- that being sitting volleyball. As a teenage girl with a disability, this took a lot of courage.

I have been with the Canadian National Team for 17 seasons, since the age of 18. I’ve helped develop the sport of sitting volleyball in Canada from its grassroots all the way to a podium finish at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris without missing a beat. From the very beginning I had a goal of competing at the Paralympics and showing others that having a disability was not going to hinder my athletic abilities. I’m a mentor on my team, continually helping to recruit and develop new athletes and show them that they too can achieve great things.

Jun Kawanami – Japan

Within our club team, individuals of all backgrounds—both with and without disabilities—unite in pursuit of the shared and ambitious objective of achieving victory at national championships. We maintain consistent, purposeful communication and engage in rigorous daily training through mutual support and cooperation. As a direct result of these sustained efforts, our placements in national competitions have steadily improved.

The bonds of trust among teammates striving toward national titles have become increasingly robust, and we have come to recognize more profoundly the transformative power of collective effort.

As a member of the national team, I uphold a strong sense of responsibility befitting a representative athlete and remain unwavering in my commitment to showing respect for others. I am continually mindful of cultivating constructive relationships, fostering cooperation, and elevating one another through shared discipline and ambition.

Above all, I believe that embodying the ideal of an athlete requires resolute courage—the readiness to embrace challenges without fear of failure. By persistently pursuing higher goals, I aim to inspire those around me, instilling both energy and boldness.

Indeed, my efforts have encouraged many of my peers to embrace new challenges of their own. These collective endeavors have invigorated those around us, motivating them to participate more actively in meaningful contributions to society.

Ekwuribe Lucky Chidozie – Nigeria

Determination is what gets me and my teammates through our daily grind. It’s the drive to get one more rep in, to dive for one more ball, long after our bodies are tired. This sport has taught us that limits are often just starting points. My commitment to training, and to pushing my teammates to be better, is our living proof of determination.

Courage was the first value we all had to embrace. It takes courage to adapt, to face physical challenges head-on, and to compete. Every time we step on the court, we choose to push past fear and doubt, showing our community what is possible.

Inspiration is a responsibility we carry. We don’t play just to be inspired; we play because we love this game. But if our journey—our struggles and successes—can show others in Port Harcourt that a disability doesn’t define your potential, then we are fulfilling our role. Our effort on the court is for every young person watching who needs to see a path forward.

Equality is found on our court. Once the whistle blows, it doesn’t matter what your background is. All that matters is your skill, your strategy, and your heart. Paravolley is a powerful equalizer, and I am proud to build a team where everyone is judged by their ability, not their disability.

Liliane Mukobwankawe – Rwanda

I strive to inspire through example and encouragement. I maintain a positive, proactive approach that motivates athletes to see what is possible, not what isn’t. Sharing stories of growth and celebrating even small achievements helps athletes recognize their own potential and inspires a culture of progress. I also aim to inspire the broader community by promoting Para sport visibility, showing that adaptive sport is not just about overcoming disability. It’s about showcasing talent, skill, and passion on equal footing with any sport.

Coach GBETO Judicael Claver Elyon – Benin

I serve and inspire my community by opening training doors to all youth, without distinction of gender, race, etc., helping athletes become self-managing, integrate, and succeed. My involvement in para-sport and community activities positively impacts my surroundings by promoting inclusion and diversity in sport, creating opportunities for persons with disabilities, developing skills and self-confidence in young athletes, and providing mentorship and support to athletes and their families.