One of the para-athletes, Joyce Otun, said it was necessary they staged the protest as members of her group were being marginalised due to their disabilities.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Para-athletes in Lagos on Wednesday protested the removal of some sports from the forthcoming National Sports Festival.
The para-athletes gathered at the entrance of the National Stadium and insisted that all the para sports exempted from the festival must be included.
The festival is slated to hold from November 28 to December 10 in Delta State.
The protest resulted into traffic gridlock on the Ojuelegba-Iponri road, forcing officers of the Rapid Response Squad to use teargas on the protesters.
One of the para-athletes, Joyce Otun, said it was necessary they staged the protest as members of her group were being marginalised due to their disabilities.
“We are protesting because they deny us our rights, the National Sports Festival must include all Para Sports and none should be denied participation.
“Only three of our sports have been enlisted in the National Sports Festival. If they would not include all our sports they should forget about the festival this year.
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“We are not ready to stop, we will continue this protest until they heed our call,” Ms Otun said.
Another para-athlete who pleaded anonymity said the disabled sports persons were being ignored, hence their grievances.
“We want the government to do the right thing. They should give us what rightfully belongs to us, that is what we are fighting for by this protest.
“If they would not grant us our request, we will be here for the next 24 hours until our sports are included in the National Sports Festival.
“We are not being treated right by the government in spite of the fact that we win majority of the medals for the country,” he said.
