The Nigerian Paralympics Committee on Monday assured Nigerians that
its athletes would win medals for the country at the forthcoming
Paralympics in Rio, Brazil, from September 7 to September 18.
The Paralympic athletes have in the past rescued the country from
shame when able-bodied athletes fail to win medals at the Olympics.
At the London 2012 Games, they won 13 medals comprising six gold,
five silver and two bronze whereas their able-bodied counterparts
returned without a medal.
The committee’s President, Monday Emoghawve, said that preparations
for the Games had not been an easy task due to financial constraints.
Emoghawve won gold for the country at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics in Spain and 1996 Atlanta, U.S., Paralympics respectively.
He said that the nation would feature in powerlifting, table tennis and athletics at the Games.
He said, “This present Paralympics preparation is full of challenges
as a result of Nigeria’s economic meltdown, but we will try our best to
do the country proud.
“We have never disappointed before and we will not disappoint in Brazil.
“All the support we have received so far is from the government and
it is not sufficient because government alone cannot finance sports.
“It is not too late for corporate organisations to identify with the
athletes before the commencement of the event to boost their morale.”
Nigeria won, in total, 26 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze medals in the
Paralympics since its debut in the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics in Spain.
(NAN)
No comments:
Post a Comment