Friday, November 12, 2010

Disabled athlete makes case for better support of disability sports in Nigeria

From PM News in Nigeria:

National Amputee Tennis player, Blessing Agwu, has made a passionate appeal to the National Sports Commission, NSC, not to push aside the newly introduced sport in Nigeria.

Agwu stated that disabled sports like swimming, tennis, volleyball and amputee football, have not been given adequate attention for them to thrive.

Agwu noted that the neglect by the authorities has been the bane of sports development in the country.

He said that despite preparing themselves for the Amputee World Cup, the amputee football team could not make the world tourney due to lack of funds.

“This is very bad and a big disappointment to the team and many of us in disabled sports men and women in Nigeria. Up till now, the federation did not tell the team why they could not make it to the World Cup,” said Agwu.

He disclosed that some countries have contacted him to play for them.

“I have been asked by different countries to play for them, but I declined because I have the hopes that Nigeria will still dominate the world of sports” he said. .

Having travelled far and wide, Agwu believes there is still much to be done if sports must develop in the country.