Para-soccer players at the ongoing four-day Para-Soccer Championship at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos, have expressed displeasure over their sport’s neglect by the government.
The Eagle online News reports that the championship, sponsored by the Lagos State Sports Commission, began on September 14 and will end on September 17.
It is part of the all-inclusive sports policy of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Kasim Garuba, 35, a Kaduna-born para-soccer player with TC Terror Club, said that they had been abandoned for a long time and that had slowed the sport’s growth.
According to him, as one of the champions of the game, there has not been any motivation for the players who the need support to help them to focus on developing themselves.
Garuba said: “The government has virtually left us because we are physically challenged but I know we can always make ourselves proud.
“That is why we train hard so that if bigger competitions come, we can do well enough and be recognised by other nations that could probably sign us up for their clubs.”
Garuba alleged that the Lagos State Government under Governor Ahmed Tinubu stopped paying their monthly stipend of N15, 000.
He noted: “Every new administration keeps making promises but this is not good enough because without motivation the players won’t give their best at competitions.”
Wilson Bature, 32, a NASS Warrior player, said that with para-soccer his teammates were proud to be called disabled since it gives them joy.
The Plateau-born player asked that adequate attention be paid not only to para-soccer athletes but to sports generally in the country to deal with the challenges that sportsmen encountered.
Bature said: “In the last three years we have not had any competition of this sort but thanks to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for sponsoring this year’s championship.
“This will further strengthen us to go for the best anytime we remember we have backing, especially from government and the corporate brands.”
Ugochukwu Obieze, another player, said that para-soccer was among the best of sports but pleaded with organisations and individuals to support the disabled to make a living off the sport.
According to the Chairperson of the competition, Nkechi Obi, the championship is aimed at selecting formidable players to represent the state in future championships.
Obi said that the championship would help the Lagos State Para-Soccer Association to evaluate the performances of its coaches and recommend outstanding ones as contract/ honourary coaches.
The 12 clubs featuring in the tournament are Total Consult Club, Premium Sports Blazers, Ojokoro Club, NAS Club, Lead United Club, Jufema Club, A.Y. Club, Double
Para-Soccer players displeased with sport’s neglect
