Rio Olympic Paralympic Games: Team Nigeria
Nigerians, especially athletics buffs on Tuesday continued to commend the performance of the special athletes who participated in the just-concluded Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil achieving what the able-bodied could not.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that they attained glory in spite of perceived discrimination and little support from corporate organisations.
They also said that the special athletes should be given all the needed support to encourage them to do more in future competitions.
NAN reports that the para-athletes won two gold and a bronze out of the eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals claimed by Nigeria at the Games held from Sept. 5 to Sept. 18.
Taiwo Kasunmu, the Technical Director, Para-athletics Federation of Nigeria (PFN), who praised the athletes, said the medals won were through individual efforts.
“These athletes won medals not because they went on tours for adequate preparation but by their individual efforts. They are worth our admiration,” he said.
Kasunmu also appealed to corporate organisations to support government in developing sports, adding that the government could not do it alone.
“Government is trying its best but a situation where most of the private bodies are not supporting it in sponsoring athletes, it will not be felt.
“Corporate organisations should do more, many of the athletes based overseas have sponsors, they are branded by companies,’’ he said.
A Lagos-based Para-athletics Coach, Adegboyega Adenuga, also called on government and corporate entities to recognise the para-athletes who have done the country proud.
Adenuga told NAN that the special athletes ought to be rewarded with things that would be of value to them.
“It should not just be hand shake and cash; they should be given what will be valuable to them. They need to be commended because in spite of being special, they are inwardly strong,’’ he said.
An Accountant and Athletics aficionado, Michael Oluyemi, told NAN that he was happy with the special athletes’ performance as they had always proved that “there is ability in their disability”.
“They have kept showcasing to the World, Africa and Nigeria that they are strong in spite of their disability.
“They need to be encouraged so that they can do better in subsequent editions,’’ he said.
Demilade Samuel, an undergraduate, said the special athletes were true compatriots who had continued to fly the country’s flag at the Paralympics and other world meets.
He said that in spite of their disability, they were fun to watch, adding that they deserved all support.
NAN reports that Nigeria won seven gold, one silver, and five bronze medals at Sydney 2000 Olympics in Australia, five gold, four silver and three bronze medals in Athens 2004.
Nigeria had also recorded four gold, four silver and one bronze at Beijing 2008, and at London 2012 claimed six gold, five silver and two bronze medals on the overall medals table.
NAN also reports that the country made its Paralympics debut at the 1992 Summer Paralympics in Barcelona, Spain with six male athletes who competed in track and field, powerlifting and table tennis.
From among them, Adeoye Ajibola won two gold medals in sprint, while Monday Emoghawve obtained one in powerlifting in Barcelona.
As other countries begin to plan for Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Nigerians hope the special athletes will also begin to enjoy corporate sponsorship to ensure they have a better outing in Japan.
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