The Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) has called for the inclusion of Para Sports in the 2022 National Sports Festival in Delta.
President of ALDIN, Mr. Daniel Onwe, made the call in a statement in Lagos on Sunday and challenged the National Sports Council over the purported exclusion.
The association said it was gravely concerned and appalled by the exclusion of para-sports, considering the same as inhuman and discriminatory.
ALDIN says the omission is a clinical show of discrimination, contrary to the provision of Section 1 of the “Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.
“It is undeniable that more than any other sports, para sports have made this country proud with the many successes and laurels they have won at international competitions.
“Consequently, the world has with great awe, taken to the liking of Nigerian para-sports athletes, especially in the game of powerlifting, athletics, and tennis, which they very interestingly beat their counterparts across the globe.
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“Since Rio and London Paralympics, para-sports in Nigeria have become more attractive than other regular sports,” he said.
“Therefore, ALDIN condemns the unjustifiable and inexplicable act of exclusion of athletes with disabilities, at a time like this, when inclusion had become the global heart cry,” he said.
The association is, therefore, demanding an immediate correction of the omission, by including para-sports.
While reiterating that Nigeria belonged equally to every Nigerian, ALDIN insists that no person or class of persons should be treated like a second-class citizen.
Sports Minister Sunday Dare had said that a few selected para-sports events would feature on the scoring basis at the National Sports Festival in Delta.
