3rd National Para Games to begin March 26 in Abuja

The National Sports Commission has announced that the 3rd National Para Games will hold from March 26 to April 3 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, bringing together para athletes from across the federation in what the commission described as a critical step in building a sustainable pipeline of champions for international competition.

Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, said the Games reflected the commission’s commitment to placing para sports on equal footing with every other sporting discipline in Nigeria.

“Our love and commitment to para sports cannot be undermined. Para athletes have brought immense pride to this country, winning medals at the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games and consistently placing Nigeria on the global podium. As a commission, we will continue to give equal focus, funding attention and developmental support to para sports alongside every other sporting discipline,” he said.

Olopade, a former President of Wheelchair Basketball in Nigeria, said his background in para sports administration gave him a deep appreciation of what the athletes represent.

“Having served in wheelchair basketball administration, I understand firsthand the structure, dedication and resilience that define our para athletes. They are disciplined, determined and patriotic. When given the right support system, they always deliver results for Nigeria,” he added.

The NSC DG emphasised that structured grassroots competitions such as the National Para Games were the foundation upon which Nigeria’s international para sports success was built.

“The medals we celebrate at the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games do not happen by chance. They begin from structured grassroots competitions like the National Para Games. We are building a sustainable pipeline of talent that will continue to make Nigeria proud for years to come,” he said.

Nigeria’s para athletes have been among the country’s most decorated sporting ambassadors, earning medals across disciplines including athletics, powerlifting, table tennis and wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and other global competitions.

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