The board of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN) has appealed to the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, for funding to prosecute the qualifiers for its athletes to qualify for Paris 2024 Paralympics Games.
PCN president, Mr Sunday Odebode, commended the minister for his unflinching support to the Paralympic Committee and especially his (minister’s) in making sure that Nigeria participated in the first African Para Games held in Accra Ghana three months ago.
“Since you resume office I want to say without mincing words that para sports have enjoyed significant strides in the area of participation in tournaments which has given our sports optimal publicity. We will not forget in a hurry how you came to the rescue of the Nation to making sure we participated in the first African para games held in Accra Ghana about three months ago. In that tournament Nigeria features only four athletes in the sports of wheelchair tennis and we were able to get two silver and one bronze medal which is a testimony to the love you have for para sports as your words of encouragement before and during the game inspired the athletes to put up a good showing at the tournament
“2024 is a paralympic year and we need to qualify more athletes to Paris Paralympic Games and record have shown over the years that Nigeria is always one of the leaders at the paralympic games in Africa and the world. The qualifiers for the Paralympic has commenced since over two years ago and the Paralympic Committee Nigeria who are responsible for registering and managing athletes at the games have been working round the clock to ensure a seamless participation of Nigeria athletes in Paris next year
“Already, about nine para table tennis players have qualified, two athletes from para athletics while para powerlifting though have qualified some athletes but their qualification system is based on ranking and do take time for it to to be released. We equally have para badminton and para shooting who are on the pathway for qualification for the Paris Games next year and their success would go a long way in boosting the progress of the sports and the athletes in Nigeria and at the continental level.”
Odebode equally asked the minister for a plot of land at the National Stadium, Lagos where the PCN can build a befitting office as it is presently being hosted by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) which is affecting its operations. He also dissociated the leadership of his board from a purported Africa Paralympic Games to be hosted by Nigeria saying it is a means by criminal elements to defraud Nigeria. He added that whatever that must be done to promote Nigeria image must be done in a legitimate manner and through the consent of member countries.
“The Paralympic Committee office is being hosted by Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) building since inception of the movement. Restricted spaces have made it inevitable that the Paralympic Committee has its own building. We want to embark on this project. Our appeal to you is for a plot of land in National Stadium Lagos for us to embark on this project behalf of the country.
“Just less than twenty-four hours ago to this visit, it was brought to our attention that a purported Africa Paralympic Games was to be hosted by Nigeria. While we are not opposed to a grand patroness well deserved to the First Lady but it must be done in a legitimate manner through proper channels with consent of member countries since a private company has no jurisdiction to abrogate this privilege.
“We will not fold our hands for some elements to defraud our country. Should the normal channels clears this honor to the First Lady, we will surely notify you sir.”
The minister in his remarks assured the PCN of support for its events saying sponsorship is key in sports sector.
He promised the PCN board a platform to operate and get the needed sponsorship. He said while the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) has clearly spelt out government involvement in the area of funding, he said the ministry is open to initiatives that will be brought on board by PCN.
“The National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) has taken a lot of funds from the government. I want to ask you to see how you can get sponsors for your events and I will also advise that you plan your events ahead to get sponsors. This office is open to initiatives that you have. We are ready to give you the platform to operate through endorsement to get the needed sponsorship.”
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