Minister lauds Nigeria’s Para-Powerlifting Team for sustaining World Record

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare has congratulated the three times World Record  Para Powerlifting champion, Team Nigeria who has again, emerged World Champion at the just concluded Abuja 2020 World Cup held from 3rd – 8th February, 2020 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja

In a joyful ceremony, the Minister received the world champions in his office after emerging overall best both in Junior and Senior categories in a keenly contested competition, where  Nigeria came top among 13 countries that participated.

Hon. Dare stated that the Ministry is indeed delighted to welcome the champion despite the attempted distractions and provocations preceding the games, the athletes continued in calmness and has demonstrated that there is ability in disabilities.

He praised the athletes for exhibiting confidence during the competition, stressing that the ministry will always  support them within its mandate and available  resources. Mr Dare said:  ‘’the athlete is the core of the work we do here in this Ministry on behalf of over 180 million Nigerians’’.  Furthermore, he seized the opportunity of the occasion to state that the Ministry has about 38 Federations under its supervision and control, emphasizing that   Federations are built to work together with the ministry for the welfare of the athletes and the promotion of sporting activities in the country. This is the extant law and it has not changed so Federations should operate accordingly.

Earlier in his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Gabriel Tanimu Adudu, appreciated the unstoppable Team Nigeria and the Para-Powerlifting Federation for doing the country proud again by emerging as the most victorious team.  ‘’We couldn’t have wished for more, it is my pleasure to welcome the team back as champion again, It means that you are all heroes having returned with the spoilt of war’’, Aduda stated.

In his response, the Acting President of the Federation, Mr Ruel Ishaku expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the Para-Powerlifting Federation and the Board for all the support accorded the athletes. He noted that the Federation has always enjoyed the goodwill of the Ministry.

While presenting the trophies to the Honourable Minister, Mr Ishaku stated that Team Nigeria came back with 6 Gold medals out of 10 in the junior category, also winning 11 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze medals out of 20 in the senior category. The team came overall best in  the Abuja 2020 Para-Powerlifing World Cup.

Olatunji John

ACIO

For: Director, Press.