Bayelsa State Team has emerged as the winners of the maiden edition of the National Para Games in Abuja with 93 medals.
The games which officially ended over the weekend, saw Bayelsa State Team scooping 31 golds, 30 silvers and 32 bronzes to win the first edition of the National Para Sports Games with a record total of 93 medals, The Trumpet gathered.
In a statement by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who was represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Ismail Abubakar, he commended the event and thanked all participants for their partnership.
Abubakar, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, said, “I want to thank the Almighty God for the huge success recorded in the games and also wish to express my profound gratitude to all the state governments that participated in the first edition.
“I want to thank all the team officials and athletes, sponsors for their participation,” he added.
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Meanwhile, the Chairman of Local Organising Committee (LOC), Peter Nelson, praised the athletes for their sterling performance in the international stage.
Nelson, satisfied with the turn out of the event, promised that the second edition will take place next year and there after, it will be held biannually.
The LOC chairman also clarified that the National Para Games was organised by the federal government to lessen the loads of burden on the states who fund athletes to the National Sports Festivals and Para Games the same year.
He said, “Para athletes had been making the nation proud in international tournaments for the Federal Government to show them what they intended for them in the maiden show.
“The second edition of the National Para Games is expected to take place next year, and there after, every two years.
“This was put in place to lessen the burden on States in having to fund athletes for both the National Para Games and National Sports Festival in the same year,” the LOC chairman added.
