The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has warned athletes against disruption of public peace following the protest by special sports athletes over the exclusion of some of their events from the Delta 2022 National Sports Festival.
In a press release on Wednesday, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development says it has in its custody a letter of petition from some special athletes over the exclusion of some of their sports from the 21st National Sports Festival, Delta 2022.
The Ministry however expressed regret that the athletes took to the streets in Lagos to protest this exclusion.
‘It is unfortunate that these protests have 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, hereby, warns and advices against any further disruption of public peace and urges anyone with complaints to channel them through the appropriate quarters and seek the path of dialogue.
”Hindering the right of other citizens to free movement is unlawful and unacceptable especially after the earlier engagements of the Ministry’s Liaison Officer in Lagos and other well meaning sports personalities,’ read the release from the Sports Ministry.
The Sports Ministry, in the release highlighted some of the steps taken to positively engage the special athletes.
Some of these steps include the setting up of a special department for Para Sports in the Ministry.
‘Also, the first National Para Games was held 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.’
The Sports Ministry also revealed they have placed premium of equal treatment of the special athletes with their able bodies counterparts.
It says it has ensured there was no discrimination in the treatment of athletes, able or special, in terms of welfare, camping conditions, remuneration and other areas.
