NSC applauds Team Nigeria’s dominance at West Africa Para Games

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Team Nigeria made history by winning the first edition of the West Africa Para Games held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, dominating the competition with an overwhelming medal haul.

After six days of compelling action, Nigeria emerged first on the medals table with 59 gold, 39 silver and 31 bronze medals. Benin Republic finished a distant second with four gold, four silver and 14 bronze medals, while Ghana claimed third place with three gold, 15 silver and 21 bronze medals.

Cameroon and Ivory Coast completed the top five in fourth and fifth positions, respectively. The Nigeria Amputee football team sealed the country’s dominance by winning the final gold medal of the competition, defeating Liberia 1-0 on Wednesday during the closing ceremony.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, commended the participating athletes, describing their involvement as a history-making feat.

“This is history in the making, and the over 400 Para athletes that took part in it from all over the West Africa sub-region are the true heroes of African Sports,” he said.

He also praised the Ogun State Government for their unwavering support, noting the state had continually keyed into the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy.

Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described the performances as heroic, particularly praising Team Nigeria athletes.

“At the NSC, we are so proud to be part of these games, which have given more visibility and awareness to Para Sports and given renewed hope to people living with disabilities. I can assure everyone that the Commission is even more committed to hosting more international Para competitions to further advance the growth of Para Sports and the success recorded with these games,” he stated.

President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting people living with disabilities through the National Sports Commission.

“This history-making competition wouldn’t have been possible if not for the quality of the two men running Nigerian Sports, in Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon Bukola Olopade. They are the best thing that has ever happened to Para sports in Nigeria,” he concluded.

He also thanked members of the Local Organising Committee of the Games, led by Victor Achakpo, for their total commitment to the successful hosting of the Games.

Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories

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