By our Reporter
The commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Dr. Daniel Igali, on Friday restated the state government’s commitment to the development of Para sports in the country.
Igali, who is a world and Olympic champion, made the assertion in Yenagoa, at the opening of a technical seminar with the theme: ‘Upgrade the capacity of technical officials of Para Athletics’ organised by the Para-Athletics Federation of Nigeria in partnership with Bayelsa State Para Athletics Association.
The commissioner said that para sports had brought glory and honour to Nigeria and Bayelsa State at major events, hence the sustainability.
Igali commended the Para athletics Federation for its contribution toward the development and promotion of para sports in the country through its developmental programmes.
He said: “We are happy that this programme is holding in Bayelsa State which is in addition to the many other national events we have hosted this year”.
“The Prosperity Government led by Governor Douye Diri is very much interested in our Para athletes in ensuring they have all the necessary support needed”.
“We are one of the few states that pay Para athletes same remuneration for laurels won in National and international tournaments as their able counterparts and we won’t stop”.
Also speaking, the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi in his address urged the participants to utilise what they learnt from the seminar to improve on their knowledge of the sports.
Sir Braveman, said the aim of the seminar was to develop and grow para sports in Nigeria.
Sir Braveman Wodi said the seminar would afford participants from the country the opportunity to learn and update their knowledge on the rules and regulations guiding the sports.
Wodi stated: “We are here to develop the capacity of technical officials in the country by helping them to get the needed knowledge to enable them to participate and officiate in international championships”.
