12th March, 2016
Taiwo Adelu
As part of the road map towards organising a successful maiden National Disability Games, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has held a three-day Stakeholders Meeting ahead of the championship.
The retreat, which started Wednesday at NAPTIN Executive Hostel, Adelabu, Surulere, Lagos ended Saturday.
Chairman of the Commission, who is also Special Adviser on Sports to Lagos State Governor, Mr Deji Tinubu, said that the idea of the Games stemmed from a passion for people with disabilities and the conviction of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration to run an all inclusive government that will involve all the citizens of Lagos State, adding that “we want to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities to showcase their talents.”
He stated that the physically challenged have been performing creditably well in the Paralympics and bringing home medals.
He further stated that Governor Ambode has directed that the Games be organized annually to show the world that Lagos State Government is committed to developing talents even amongst physically challenged.
“I want all the stakeholders present here to put heads together and to come out with all inclusive plans for the Games. Organising this competition will allow the state to put in place necessary sporting facilities for the people with disabilities in Lagos State”,” he said.
The Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Ayodele Agbesanwa, charged all the stakeholders as partners to help actualise the ambition of Governor Ambode in making Lagos State the sports hub in Africa.
He therefore urged all the participants to come up with all inclusive programmes for the proposed Games.
Also speaking at the retreat, the Chairman, National Deaf Sports Association, Alhaji Usman Nahuche commended the Lagos State Government for “setting up this kind of programme for people with disabilities”.
He added that the Festival will help in many ways and its going to uplift the people living with disabilities.
He urged other state governments to emulate Lagos State’s trailblazing in sports development.
The participants at the retreat include presidents, secretaries and Technical Directors of sports federations Para-Soccer, Nigeria Power lifting, Para-Athletics, Wheelchair Basketball, Nigeria Para Table Tennis, Nigeria Special Sports (Dwarf and Blind) Federation.
Others are Special Olympic of Nigeria (Down Syndrome), Paralympics Committee of Nigeria, Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation, Lagos State Paralympics Committee and Lagos State Para Soccer Association.