Team Lagos who are participating for the first time in the National Para Games have not been having a bad outing judging from the performance of the athletes at the ongoing championship in Abuja.
This was the submission of Mr. Ola Okunnu, the Director of Technical Department, Lagos State Sports Commission while speaking with reports at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, despite being a first timer, the team still put on stellar performance in most of the sports they participated.
“This is encouraging, and the management of the Sports Commission really applauded the athletes. We have been counting our losses and our gains as well. So far so good, Team Lagos’ outing at the 2nd National Para Games is not all that bad.
“Don’t forget that this is our maiden outing in the para games which enters its second edition this year, and I can tell you that our athletes do us proud.
“As first timer at the games, we see this outing as a learning process for us. We have noted a good number of areas we will improve our preparation on for the next edition,” Okunnu said.
Speaking on the level of organisation on the part of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, which is the organiser of the competition, Okunnu said: “On the part of the organisation of the games, I must say the organisers try their best. The venues have not been far from each other. This is a special games which needs to be treated carefully because of the nature of the athletes. I believe the organisers have been able to see few areas they will improve on ahead of the next games.
Okunnu emphasised that the championship is adding value to sports development in the country. He disclosed that there have been great and beneficial takeaways for the athletes and the sports authority.
“I believe the authority will no doubt use the games to access the standard of these athletes to see their fitness into the country’s pool of talents going into international championship.
“This National Para Games is a win-win situation for both the athletes and the government. The athletes will use this championship as a platform to rob minds with their colleagues across the country, and don’t forget that 2024 is Olympic Games and All Africa Games year. The country will tap a lot in terms of talent discovery from this competition,” Okunnu said.
