The Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Dr. Daniel Igali, on Friday reiterated the state government’s commitment to the development of para sports in the country.
The world and Olympic champion made this assertion in Yenagoa at the opening of a technical seminar themed ‘Upgrade the Capacity of Technical Officials of Para Athletics,’ organized by the Para-Athletics Federation of Nigeria in partnership with the Bayelsa State Para Athletics Association.
Dr. Igali said that para sports had brought glory and honor to Bayelsa State at major events, hence the sustainability. He commended the Para Athletics Federation for its contributions toward the development and promotion of para sports in the country through its developmental programs.
He said, “We are happy that this program is holding in Bayelsa State, which is in addition to the many other national events we have hosted this year.”
“The Prosperity Government, led by Governor Douye Diri, is very much interested in our para athletes and ensuring they have all the necessary support needed.”
“We are one of the few states that pay para athletes the same amount for laurels won in national tournaments as their able-bodied counterparts, and we won’t stop.”
Also speaking, the Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, urged the participants to utilize what they learned from the seminar to improve their knowledge of the sport.
Sir Braveman said the aim of the seminar was to develop and grow para sports in Nigeria. He added that the seminar would afford participants from across the country the opportunity to learn and update their knowledge on the rules and regulations guiding the sport.
“We are here to develop the capacity of technical officials in the country by helping them get the needed knowledge to enable them to participate and officiate in international championships,” Wodi stated.
