S/West Para-Powerlifting Developmental Championship Commences, as Governor Abiodun Declares It Open
By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Leverage on the importance of sports, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has declared open the 1st South-West Para-Powerlifting Developmental Championship (SPDC) at Otunba Dipo Dina international stadium, Ijebu Ode on Monday.
The championship featuring athletes across the region had in attendance the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun ably represented by the Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council, Sola Faleti; chairman, Ogun State Para-Powerlifting Association, Deacon Gbolahan Eweje; Joy Mayaki, national technical director, Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation, and host of others.
The state governor in his address tasked the athletes and officials to compete in the spirit of sportsmanship and atmosphere of love, pointing that sports is a united factors globally.
He hereby urged all the participants and organisers a hitch free competition and ensure that the expectations of discovering new talents that would represent their various states at national and international level are nurtured during he four days event.
“It is high time for the South-West States to become a force to reckon with in the annals of para-powerlifting and others sports to other regions in the country. With this, I hereby declare the championship open,” he said.
Similarly, Chairman of the Ogun State Para-Powerlifting Association, Deacon Gbolahan Eweje, in his welcome address thanked the state government for her support in organising the event. He added that aim of the competition is to discovering talents, that would be nurtured into national and international limelight.
He hereby called on the athletes and officials to ensure a hitch free championship, and by ensuring that the syndrome of winning at all cost is eradicated totally. “Please, endeavour to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the championship, so that the objective if this event can be materialised.
Also, Mayaki on her part lauded the state government support and ValuJet for identifying with the championship, being the first of it’s kind in the South-West region.
She hereby called for the need to be serious with para-powerlifting sports across the country, being the only sports that have brought more medals for the country at international competitions and Paralympics as well.
She said: “There is ability in disability. Attention should be given to this game and athletes, because we are the only sports that have never disappointed the country at various international events we competed for. Be it paralympic games, works championship and many others.”
Meanwhile, some of the athletes who spoke to Daily Dispatch at the opening event commended the state association for deeming it fit to stage the championship, in spite of the economy situation in the country.
They hereby urged other states para-powerlifting association and states governments to emulate Ogun State by organising another round of championship, as this would keep them in good shape ahead of international competitions.
