Para Sports Federation...members after the media briefing

Emperor Nkpe advocates for Para Sports Federation

Some of the amunitions and bullets...for para Shooting
Some of the amunitions and bullets…for para Shooting

*Nigeria Olympic Fund gets kudos for disability plans

*General Lonsdale Adeoye praised for his efforts

Paramount ruler of Alesa-Eleme in River State, Emperor J. D. Nkpe has challenged people living with disabilities to ensure that they get their own sports federation as a means of properly guiding the freedom to enjoy all genre of sports for their members. The monarch who spoke at a media briefing in Abuja on the

Monday Emoghavwe President of Paralumpics Committee...trying his hands on the pistle
Monday Emoghavwe President of Paralumpics Committee…trying his hands on the pistle

celebration of the International Day for disability said, “I am so happy you people are working hard with the Paralympic Sports Federation. You have my support in all ways. I have always been with you and will remain with you.”

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Monday Emoghavwe, President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria said, “I feel so delighted that people with disabilities are going to be having greater fun with the emergence of new sports like para shooting which Brigadier General Lonsdale Adeoye is championing.

“Para Sports deserves its own federation. We should and cannot be operating under the federations for able persons. I want to use this occasion to thank the people behind the Nigeria Olympic Fund. Every Nigerian should rise and play their part in making that structure work. When I read the details of their plans for para sport, my heart leapt for joy.”

From left General Lonsdale Adeoye, HRH Nkpe, Barrister Iyodo and Monday Emoghavwe...detailing their views to the media
From left General Lonsdale Adeoye, HRH Nkpe, Barrister Iyodo and Monday Emoghavwe…detailing their views to the media

“Why is Chief Mary Onyali not invited for this media briefing? Please, tell her, we, people with disabilities are praying for her group. We can’t wait to have those functions running. That will help us not to be looked at as beggars. We can produce millionaires amongst our ranks just like the able bodied people.”

“Every Nigerian should support and deliver this new vision. Disability does not translate or mean we are mentally inferior. In most cases, we are mentally stable than many of the able bodied persons. In many instances, we have demonstrated edge over people without disabilities.”

Barrister Yusuf Iyodo, President of Para Shooting Federation said, “the celebration of this year’s international day for disability gave us the space to launch our new initiatives like para swimming and para volley. We already have para basket federation.

After the media briefing, they tried their hands on pistle and rifle shooting. The Secretary General of the Para Shooting Federation, Irene Ogbogwu-Patrick said, “I can’t wait to start shooting. Believe me, one of the best things that has happened to us is the introduction of this new varieties. Thanks to General Adeoye and coach Madu Abdul.”

Solomon Dalung Nigeria's Sports minister...give us Nigeria ParaSports Federation
Solomon Dalung Nigeria’s Sports minister…give us Nigeria ParaSports Federation

Mr Gboyega Alesinloye in his comment said, “the quick granting of rights by the Minister, Solomon Dalung and the Nigeria Olympic Committee for us to run with the ParaSports Federation is what we are asking for. We feel so delighted and can also reveal that we have greater room to bring greater honour and medals to Nigeria. I am personally fulfilled.

Vice President of the Federation, Engineer Matthew Odoh-Adoyi quipped, “from 2017, we look to fully exploiting available opportunities to increase the number of training opportunities and championships. Like others have said, the fact that the Nigeria Olympic Fund figured us out on their own in their plans means there is greater hope for people living with disabilities. We want to thank them for also giving us five of the 15 leagues that are to commence in January 2018. What more can we ask for? Glory be to God.”

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