Give us employment, pay our allowances — Kwara para-athletes appeal to Governor
…Protest to governor’s office
By Saka Laaro, Ilorin
Members of the Kwara state Special Sports Athletes, otherwise called para athletes, have appealed to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to provide them with employment opportunities to uplift their welfare and attract more glory to the state.
The special athletes, who were led by the Vice Chairman (North Central) and representative of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Felix Olatunbosun Oyadinrin, made the appeal when they staged a peaceful protest to the seat of power, Government House, Ilorin on Tuesday.
The people carried placards with various inscriptions to express their feelings, saying that all efforts to meet with the state governor had not been successful.
The special athletes asked for payment of their awards both at the national sports festival Asaba 2022 and para games in Abuja 2023, as well as special monthly allocation for their welfare.
The para-athletes, however, commended administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on sports development in the state, saying that, “We will like to show our appreciation to the present administration led by his Excellency, Governor Abdulrazaq, for the support in promoting sport in the state.”
In one of the letters said to have been written to request for audience with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq over their demands, titled, REQUEST FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR SPECIAL SPORT ATHLETES, and signed by their captain, the people said that it had yielded no fruits more than three years after.
“Over the years, the special sports athletes have been representing the state and winning laurels; both at International and National competitions. We plead to His Excellency to grant us this request so as to uplift the welfare of the special sport athletes positively and put a smile on our faces.
“I hope we shall meet your mercy and that our request will be given due and favourable consideration.”
The team captain of the Kwara State Special Sport Athletes said that the team comprises Para-Table tennis, Para-Athletes, Power-lifting, Wheelchair basketball and Para-badminton athletes.
“We have boosted the standing of the State among its peers in sporting levels. On numerous occasions we were promised; promising and not fulfilling. Meanwhile, many of the athletes had given nothing but exceptional services to the state in terms of sport and nothing to show for it, in our lives and that of our family.
“On many occasions, we have organised seminars for people living with disabilities and to encourage them. It is a shame that all this effort is wasted because there is no support from the state government.”
