2022 National Sports Festival: Sports Ministry relists Para Sports

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development says it has relists the following Para Sports to the National Sports Festival in Delta State: Para Athletics, Para Table Tennis, Para Powerlifting and Deaf Sports of (Athletics and Table Tennis).

The decision, according to a press statement from the Sports Ministry was done in consultation with stakeholders in sports.

The National Council of State had, in its virtual meeting last week removed Para Sports in its entirety from the Delta 2022 Festival and subsequent editions.

However, the Ministry wishes to state that their events will be limited to where Nigeria has competitive advantages.

This decision was taken in the overall interest of Sports Development in Nigeria, as the National Sports Festival has become the Flagship Games for the discovery, grooming and empowerment of our youth athletes.

The Ministry condemns the behaviour of some misguided athletes who engaged in unwarranted acts of protests and blackmail without recourse to due process.

These actions which led to the disturbance of public peace and the good image of Sportsmen and women, especially with the recent public acceptance of the superlative performance of Team Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games is a breach of our Sports Ethical Code.

The Ministry wishes to state further that it will apply the rules in dealing with such acts in due course. Athletes must learn to follow the due process laid down for resolving issues.

The facts about this administration’s commitment to the upliftment of the Para Athletes and Parasports are in the public domain, well documented.

Para Athletes are therefore, advised to henceforth exhaust the channels of communication and processes laid down for airing grievances, rather than resort to public disturbance.