In a bold move to address the underrepresentation of people with disabilities (PWDs) in sports and explored the barriers to participation, the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWDs) organised exciting novelty para soccer and volleyball matches in Abuja to celebrate the 2023 International Day for Persons With Disabilities at the weekend.
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, sports and cultural life.
The novelty matches held at the package ‘B’ of Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja were targeted at increasing the participation of PWDs in sports and creating awareness for the role of the 2019 Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act in Nigeria in improving access to sports.
Mr. Stanley Onyebuchi, president of Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), commended the NCPWDs for organizing the novelty games in sensitizing the public on issues affecting persons with disabilities.
“It is a good thing that we have a day set aside by the UN to celebrate us, but there are still issues when it comes to negligence or discrimination against us,” Onyebuchi said. “Thank God that we have a commission and act protecting us from this discrimination. We are also trying our best in terms of sensitizing the general public about the act and the commission is doing well in that regard. The senior special assistant to the president is also doing well, as well as established organisations in sensitizing the public about the provisions of the act.”
On his part, former president of Nigeria Deaf Sports federation, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Nahuche, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for persons with disabilities, especially with the recent ratification of African Charter on persons with disabilities.
“Thank everyone for the encouragement and support which signifies the success of this programme, celebrated every year for persons with disabilities.
“We thank the president for all the encouragement he has been giving us through the NCPWDs. We need the continued support of the government and also want to thank the president for the ratification of the African Charter on persons with disabilities. It has given us more strength and motivation to achieve our goal.
The Abuja team A beat Abuja Team B 2-1 to win the para soccer novelty match to commemorate the International Day of Disabled Persons.
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