The Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Dr. Daniel Igali has restated the State government’s commitment to developing Para sports in the country.
The world and Olympic champion said this in Yenagoa, at the opening of a technical seminar with the theme: ‘Upgrade the capacity of technical officials of Para Athletics’ organised by the Para-Athletics Federation of Nigeria in partnership with Bayelsa State Para Athletics Association.
Daniel Igali said para-sports had brought glory and honour to Nigeria and Bayelsa State at major events, hence the sustainability.
Champion Igali commended the Para Athletics Federation for its contribution toward the development and promotion of para-sports in the country through its developmental programmes.
He said: “We are happy that this programme is holding in Bayelsa State which is in addition to the many other national events we have hosted this year”.
“The Prosperity Government led by Governor Douye Diri is very much interested in our Para athletes in ensuring they have all the necessary support needed”.
“We are one of the few states that pay Para athletes the same remuneration for laurels won in National and international tournaments as their able counterparts and we won’t stop”.
Also speaking, the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi in his address urged the participants to utilise what they learnt from the seminar to improve their knowledge of the sports.
Sir Braveman, said the seminar aimed to develop and grow para sports in Nigeria.
Sir Braveman Wodi said the seminar would allow participants from the country to learn and update their knowledge of the rules and regulations guiding the sports.
Wodi stated: “We are here to develop the capacity of technical officials in the country by helping them to get the needed knowledge to enable them to participate and officiate in international championships”.
