Team Nigeria Win Inaugural West Africa Para Games

Team Nigeria has made another history for emerging as the undisputed champions of the first-ever West Africa Para Games after six days of captivating actionheld in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The host Nigeria reaffirmed its status as the continent’s leading Para-sporting nation, securing an overwhelming victory on the medals table with a total of 59 gold, 39 silver, and 31 bronze medals.

Benin Republic finished a distant second with 4 gold, 4 silver, and 14 bronze medals, while Ghana secured third place with 3 gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals, totalling 39 medals. Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire rounded out the top five, claiming fourth and fifth positions respectively. Cameroon earned one gold, one silver, and two bronze, while Côte d’Ivoire secured one gold.

The final gold medal of the competition went to the Nigeria Amputee Football team, who triumphed over Liberia with a 1-0 victory in Wednesday’s final, coinciding with the closing ceremony.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), lauded all participating athletes, describing their involvement as a “history-making feat that will be remembered for a long time.”

He stated: “This is history in the making and the over 400 Para athletes that took part in it from all over the West Africa sub region are the true heroes of African Sports.”

Mr. Dikko also commended the Ogun State government for their “unwavering support for sports development,” highlighting their alignment with the “Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE).”

Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the NSC, echoed these sentiments, praising the “true heroes’ performance” from all participating countries, especially Team Nigeria. He affirmed the NSC’s commitment: “At the NSC, we are so proud to be part of this games which has given more visibility and awareness to Para Sports and given renewed hope to people living with disabilities. I can assure everyone that the Commission is even more committed to hosting more international Para competitions to further advance the growth of Para Sports and the success recorded with this games.”

Sunday Odebode, President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his crucial support for people living with disabilities through the NSC.

He specifically credited Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade for the competition’s success, stating: “This history-making competition wouldn’t have been possible if not for the quality of the two men running Nigerian Sports… They are the best thing that has ever happened to Para sports in Nigeria.” Mr. Odebode also extended thanks to the Local Organising Committee, led by Victor Achakpo, for their dedication.