President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), Sunday Odebode says the para-athletes are the face of sports in Nigeria due to their contribution of medals in major International Championships.
Odebode disclosed this during the meeting between the Sports Minister, John Enoh, and National Sports Federation stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday.
The meeting monitored by www.aclsports.com Odebode revealed that Nigeria Para Sports have always rescued Nigeria at the Africa, Commonwealth, and Paralympic Games in the last three decades.
He informed the minister that Nigeria finished 5th position at the recently concluded Africa Para Games despite participating in one sport.
He said, “I am proud to inform you Honorable Minister of Sports Development that Para Sports is the face of Nigeria Sports. Without the para-athletes, Nigeria Sports would not be where it is today. The records are there, the para-athletes have broken and set records at the various Commonwealth and Paralympic Games in the last three decades.
“Nigeria won two bronze medals to finish fifth position at the just concluded 2023 Africa Para Games in Ghana despite presenting wheelchair tennis. The wheelchair tennis players are billed to attend the M15 Sharm ElSheikh Tournament 2023 takes place from 25th September to 1st Oct in Egypt and their passports are already at the embassy.”
Odebode complained that para-athletes have been starved of funds compared to the able bodies sports.
