Despite the efforts of some physically-challenged persons yesterday airing their displeasure of the alleged removal of some sports by staging a protest, Para sports has officially been ruled out from the forthcoming National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Asaba, Delta state next month.
The National Council on Sports in emergency virtual meeting with Minister of Sports and Youth Development Sunday Dare presiding, decided that the three compulsory Para sports in the National Sports Festival namely: Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting and Para Table Tennis, would no longer feature in the NSF; approved the inclusion of Cricket and there will be 3 demonstration sports in Delta 2022 namely; Mixed martial arts, Net Ball and Teqball Ball.
The ministry had earlier said it was unfortunate that these protests had led to public disturbances and the disruption of the peace in some parts of Lagos, hampering the flow of traffic in the process.
The ministry also reminded Nigerians that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, after much deliberations and planning approved the Setting up of a special Department for Para Sports in the Ministry and had organised the first National Para Games in April 2022 where 16 Para Sports were competed for by 21 States of the Federation and some sports clubs at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
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Meanwhile, Police yesterday morning, fired teargas at Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos.
The action was to disrupt the protest staged by PWD at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.
According to PWD, the protest is a result of their exclusion from the 2022 National Sports Festival scheduled to be held in Delta State.
An eyewitness Joseph, told The Nation in the evening of the protest that the people living with disabilities are neglected. He therefore urged the government to pay attention to their needs.
He said, “Movements have resumed but earlier today, there was no movement whatsoever. Everywhere was completely blocked. There was a stand still.
“The disabled in this country are not appreciated. They are not taken care of. They win gold medals and a lot of stuff for us but they are not appreciated.”