Lagos State Wins Maiden Southwest Para-Athletics Championship
Lagos State, hosts of the maiden Southwest Para-athletics championship, emerged winners of the three-day regional event after raking in 39 medals at the mainbowl of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Team Lagos won nine Gold, 15 Silver and 15 Bronze medals, while Ogun placed second with 7 Gold, 7 silver and 3 Bronze medals. Oyo State finished third with 5 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal. Ondo had 4 Gold and 3 Silver medals, while Ekiti got 3 Gold and 1 Silver medal. Osun state settled for 3 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.
The competition is aimed at supporting people living with disabilities, especially at the grassroots level.
“We brought in the women, now we have stepped up by making sure that the physically challenged have their own platforms. This is just the first,” the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, said.
“This is a clear statement from Lagos State showing that, it is not only about getting reward, but also giving them the regular competitions so that they can improve and do it better for Nigeria.”
On his part, the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafaar, stated that to develop sports in Lagos state and the Southwest, Lagos needs to take the lead role, which is the reason for the maiden Southwest regional championship.
“The initiative is in line with the “THEMES” agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which include bringing both male and female, able and physically challenged athletes, for sports development,” Gafaar said.
“Able athletics event was held recently, and engaging our physically challenged athletes is a way of preparing them for better outings and a better tomorrow. Apart from the financial gains, they needed to get prepared, active and, it will also contribute to their healthy living.”
The chairman, Lagos State Para-athletics Association, Rafiu Olawale Etti, stated that the motive of the competition was to create an enabling environment for the athletes to showcase their talents, and to encourage mass participation of people living with disabilities in sports.
It is also to contribute to the development of para sports, as an alternative means of sustaining the livelihood for persons living with disabilities.
Chidi Nwoke/The Guardian.
