An Emotional Milestone for Inclusive Sports on the Island
WILLEMSTAD – On Thursday, December 11, Curaçao-born student Aksel Cijntje, who is currently studying Intercultural Support & Social Work at Alfa-college in Groningen, presented seven handbikes to athletics association The Eagles. Five athletes with physical disabilities received the adapted bikes alongside their coaches and immediately began training on the field. The event, held at the Sentro Deportivo Korsou athletics track on Kaminda di Brievengat, marked a deeply moving moment where sport, inclusion and resilience came together.
During the gathering, several speakers addressed the audience, including Errold Bishop on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sport (OWCS), Aksel himself, Simone van Leusden from Alfa-college, the Eagles’ coaching staff, C.A.B. chairman Willem Cordilia, athlete Thania Baling’s mother, Sharline Antonio-Dopwell, and Alette Borger representing Dolphin Suites & Wellness — a long-standing advocate for inclusion on Curaçao. They emphasized the urgent need for an inclusive society and the power of sports to promote well-being, confidence, social connection and full participation.
Aksel, born and raised on Curaçao, became paralyzed after a gunshot injury that resulted in a spinal cord lesion. During his rehabilitation in Groningen, he discovered handbike sports — an experience that gave him renewed purpose and motivation. With this initiative, he hopes to offer others on Curaçao the same opportunity. His ultimate dream is to create an accessible sports, recreation and community park on the island.
In 2024, Aksel was named Student of the Year. That same year, the Sustainability Team of the Year donated its prize money to him, helping him take the first steps toward realizing his vision.
In addition to the handbike ceremony, Aksel spent the week visiting schools, neighborhoods and even the prison on Curaçao, sharing his personal story to inspire young people and advocate for inclusion and accessibility in education.
The trip and project were made possible thanks to support from Alfa-college, Internationalisation Department, Fit for Life Kluiverboom, Kluiverboom Management, Sustainability Team Hoogeveen, and Dolphin Suites & Wellness Curaçao.