By Eche Amos
A contingent of fifty-five athletes, eleven coaches, and nine accompanying officials of Team Nasarawa has arrived in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for the maiden edition of the National Para Sports Festival which will run from 9th-15th April 2022.
The delegation left Lafia, Capital of Nasarawa State, on Saturday, 9th April, for the short trip to Abuja.
Before departure, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, in a farewell address at the Lafia City Stadium, told the contingent to represent the State well and be good ambassadors throughout the Event.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to congratulate you, on behalf of the State Government and Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the good people of Nasarawa State, for being one of the participants at the first edition of the National Para-Sports Festival.
“You already know what is at stake and the games you are going to participate in.
“We wish we could go with more games and athletes but we all resolved to go with events and athletes we have a comparative advantage.
“We believe the contingent will not disappoint His Excellency, the Governor, the State, and its peace-loving people at the Event.
“While you are there, do everything to live modestly and peacefully; avoid things that would tarnish both your image and that of the State.”
He noted that the Governor Sule Administration would continue to prioritize youth and sports development in order to make the State a hub for youth and sports development in Nigeria.
“We are lucky to have a Governor who has a special interest in youth and sports development and whose penchant is to see us among the best in the country.
“He is a leader who rewards hard work and excellence and doesn’t pretend about that.
“The best way to appreciate his continuous support for us is to go there and win valuable medals.
“The Governor has invested so much in youth and sports development, and it won’t be out of place to play our own role in justifying the huge investment in the sector”, he appealed.
In his remarks, the Leader of the delegation and Director of Sports of the Ministry, Lawrence Shammah supported by Mustapha Sani Bello, Director of Technical, assured of the team’s excellent performance at the event, calling on the State people to continue to pray for their success at the Event.
Of the fifteen sports to feature at the Event, Team Nasarawa will participate in five, namely, Para-Soccer, Deaf Football, Para-Athletics, Para-Weightlifting, and Para-Table Tennis.
States across the Federation and FCT, Abuja, will be taking part in the festival.
