No fewer than 45 athletes were in the Kwara contingent which departed from Ilorin on Saturday to represent the state at the ongoing maiden National Para-Sports Festival in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that their departure was a case of a battle won for the athletes in the contingent.
This was after their participation in the festival scheduled for Saturday to Friday had appeared to be in doubt earlier this week.
The athletes are to participate in amputee football, para-athletics, para-badminton, para-soccer, para-table tennis, powerlifting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and deaf sports.
The Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission, Bolakale Mogaji, while addressing the contingent at the State Stadium Complex in Ilorin on Saturday charged the athletes on discipline.
He thanked the athletes for the love they have shown in representing the state and also appreciated the coaches for their patience, dedication, and commitment.
“The maiden edition of the Para-Sports Games is aimed at giving People Living With Disability (PLWD) in sports a sense of belonging.
“It is also an opportunity to exhibit all their potential in line with the present administration’s policy of inclusion in ensuring that para-sports athletes were given the same opportunity as their able-bodied counterparts.”
Mogaji commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for making efforts to ensure that the team’s participation becomes a reality, in spite of financial difficulties.
“We thank Gov. AbdulRazaq for meeting the demands for the participation of Team Kwara at the Para-Sports Festival in Abuja,” he said.
