There are strong indications that Nigeria may not participate at the maiden edition of Para All Africa Games.
The Games will commence Sunday in Ghana and will run till 13th September.
The Paralympic Committee Nigeria (PCN) has prepared its athletes to participate in wheelchair basketball (male and female), tennis, and amputee athletics.
Sources within the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in Abuja disclosed that lack of funds is responsible for the inability of the country not to be at Games despite the readiness and preparation of the athletes and fefterations for the Games.
The para athletes had tabled their request to participate at the Games before the newly appointed Sports Minister, John Enoh came to Lagos for his inspection of facilities at the National Stadium, Surulere on Thursday during which he assured them that he would look into the matter to assure that they will participate.
“But as it is now, with a day to the opening ceremony of the Games scheduled for Sunday and nothing is on ground, this shows that the country will not participate at the event. The para athletes are still in the country by now while other African countries have started arriving Ghana for the Games”, the source, who pleaded annonymity said.
He added: “It was initially speculated that Nigeria will only participate in the tennis event made up of four players but now, the country will not even be in attendance”.
Some of the para athletes who have trained and prepared for the Games have expressed sadness over this ugly development.
“We are not happy with this development and having trained so hard to make the country proud at the Games, it is sad that our effort will now be in vain. But if it is the able-bodied athletes, the Federal Government will make money available. This is not fair at all,” said one of the the athletes who wants to remain anonymous.
