FCT, 21 States Battle for Medals as Dare Opens 1st National Para-Games
By Mukhtar Ya’U Madobi
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has assured that Federal Government will ‘aggressively’ promote para games, in the country.
He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the maiden ‘National Para Games’.
The event began yesterday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, in Abuja.
Dare, in his remark, noted that a special department for para sport has been established in their Ministry, with a reasonable budget to ensure its smooth takeoff and sustainability.
According to the Minister, 21 states including the FCT are going to participate in the tournament, aimed at honouring President Muhammadu Buhari’s mission of actualizing the National Disability Act and Commission.
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In his remark, Permanent Secretary of the Youth and Sports Ministry, Alh. Ismail Abubakar, said the para games is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth, Sports and Development, championed by Mr. Dare, to give People Living With Disabilities, PLWDs, an opportunity to showcase their sporting talents, at the national level.
“I thank the Minister for his foresight and magnanimity in initiating this, as he will go down in history as the innovator of this kind gesture to the PLWDs.
“I will equally call the attention of the participants to show and exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the tournament,” Abubakar said.
Nigeria is expected to use this tournament to select participants who will form part of the team to represent the country in the upcoming ‘2022 Commonwealth Games’, scheduled to hold between July 28 and August 8, 2022 at Birmingham, United Kingdom.
