Sports
Para-Athletes Want Fair Treatment From FG
Some para-athletes have
urged the incoming Federal Government to treat disabled athletes fairly with able bodied athletes, describing themselves as capable of doing what able-bodied athletes could do.
They told newsmen in Lagos that it was disheartening that they were usually underestimated in terms of camping, finance and support.
The athletes noted that if given the needed support, para athletes would do the country proud at continental and international meets.
A blind 100m and 200m sprinter, Taiwo Suleiman, said that their disability did not make them useless, saying sport helped to showcase their talent and also kept them busy.
“Being partially blind or totally blind does not make us useless or become beggars.
“We do not want to roam the streets, where we will be seen as nuisance. Some of us have found our talents in spite of our disability.
“I am appealing to them to treat disabled athletes equally with the able-bodied. When we have competitions, we hardly go into national camp unlike the able-bodied,’’ she said.