Team Nigeria have written their name into sporting history after winning the inaugural West Africa Para Games in Abeokuta, claiming a dominant haul of medals and setting a new benchmark for Para sports in the region.
The six-day event, hosted in Ogun State, ended with Nigeria comfortably topping the medals table on Wednesday night.
Team Nigeria won 59 gold medals, 39 silver and 31 bronze to finish far ahead of their rivals.
Benin Republic took second place with four gold, four silver and 14 bronze medals, while Ghana settled for third with three gold, 15 silver and 21 bronze medals. Cameroon and the Ivory Coast placed fourth and fifth.
Nigeria’s final gold came in the Amputee football event, where the team celebrated a 1-0 win over Liberia during the closing ceremony, crowning a week in which local athletes thrilled crowds with spirited performances across multiple sports.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised every participant for contributing to a landmark moment for Para athletics.
“This is history in the making, and the over 400 Para athletes that took part in it from all over the West Africa sub-region are the true heroes of African Sports,” he said, adding that Ogun State deserved applause for its support and commitment to the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy.
Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described Team Nigeria’s performances as heroic and stressed the wider impact of the Games on disability sports.
“At the NSC, we are so proud to be part of these games, which have given more visibility and awareness to Para Sports and given renewed hope to people living with disabilities. I can assure everyone that the Commission is even more committed to hosting more international Para competitions to further advance the growth of Para Sports and the success recorded with these games,” he stated.
President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, also expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for backing inclusion through the National Sports Commission.
“This history-making competition wouldn’t have been possible if not for the quality of the two men running Nigerian Sports, in Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon Bukola Olopade. They are the best thing that has ever happened to Para sports in Nigeria,” he concluded.
He extended gratitude to the Local Organising Committee, led by Victor Achakpo, for ensuring the Games ran smoothly and showcased the best of West African Para talent.
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