The Sports Ministry says the behaviour of some athletes who engaged in unwarranted acts of protests and blackmail without recourse to due process, stands condemned
By Uzor Odigbo
The Sports Ministry says in consultation with Stakeholders in Sports says it has relists some Para Sports to the National Sports Festival in Delta State.
According to a statement by the Sports Ministry, the Para Sports that were relists for the games include; Para Athletics, Para Table Tennis, Para Powerlifting and Deaf Sports of (Athletics and Table Tennis).
However, the Sports Ministry states that their events will be limited to where Nigeria has competitive advantages.
The Sports Ministry statement reads in part: “This decision was taken in the overall interest of Sports Development in Nigeria, as the National Sports Festival has become the Flagship Games for the discovery, grooming and empowerment of our youth athletes.
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“The Ministry condemns the behaviour of some misguided athletes who engaged in unwarranted acts of protests and blackmail without recourse to due process.
“These actions which led to the disturbance of public peace and the good image of Sportsmen and women, especially with the recent public acceptance of the superlative performance of Team Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games is a breach of our Sports Ethical Code.
“The Ministry wishes to state further that it will apply the rules in dealing with such acts in due course. Athletes must learn to follow the due process laid down for resolving issues.
The facts about this administration’s commitment to the upliftment of the Para Athletes and Parasports are in the public domain, well documented.
“Para Athletes are therefore, advised to henceforth exhaust the channels of communication and processes laid down for airing grievances, rather than resort to public disturbance.”