Project LA28 was started in order to support and develop some of our up-and-coming para-athletes that compete in field events. This to give them a chance to compete overseas at Grand Prix events, especially those that was in need of an international classification or to confirm a classification. This unfortunately, is a costly exercise as athletes need to pay for themselves and attending such an event can cost up to R70 000 pp for the week, full board. Paying in dollars or pounds make this very difficult for most.

As the first step for Project LA28, we targeted the Grand Prix event in Tunis, which was the cheaper option. Mandeline Hoffmann was up for review and her classification needed to be confirmed due to the nature of her disability.

Dowayne Valentine just needed his classification to be confirmed at an international as a new athlete, with Marnie Blom (visually impaired also going as he was up for review. Juane le Roux joined the group for additional competition. This self funded trip cost each athlete roughly R60,000. The ZA-LA28 project raised some funds to assist.

Dowayne Valentine got his international classification, and Manie Blom was due for a review end of 2028. Unfortunately for Mandilené, due to the rarity of her disease, more doctors reports are needed. This resulted that her Classification was not completed and no Class was allocated to her. She therefore, unfortunately, now needs to do another Classification to be allocated to a Class. This can only happen in 2026 again at one of a few International Para-Athletics Grand Prix events, India in March 2026 the aim, as she is on the shortlist for Para-Athletics at the Commonwealth Games in 2026.