As the maiden edition of the National Para Sports festival ongoing at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja enters Day 2, Kano State has begun to show its superiority by leading on the medals table.
Kano has so far won 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze while FCT and Oyo are second and third respectively with 1 gold medal each. Imo is fourth with 2 silver medals while Kwara is fifth with two bronze medals.
As at Day 2, a total of 9 medals have been won which includes 3 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Other states present such as Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Edo and Osun are yet to win a medal.
Others are Katsina, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Plateau, Enugu, Nasarawa, Abia, Bayelsa and Kaduna.
In total, according to the medals table, only 21 states including the FCT are participating in this festival.
The athletes are participating in 15 para-sports which are Para-Powerlifting, Para-Athletics, Para-Table Tennis, Deaf Sports, and Para-Soccer.
Others are Wheelchair Tennis, Para-Badminton, Para-Canoe, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair B/Ball, Amputee Football, Para-Swimming, Para-Taekwondo, and Para-Shooting.
While declaring the Games open on Saturday, the minister stated that Para Sports has contributed in no small measure to bringing glory to Nigeria, both at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games over the years and thus, para-sports deserve utmost recognition.
“From the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Para Sports have given Nigeria 36 gold medals, 18 silver medals and 16 bronze medals and these medals are just as valuable as medals from the traditional Olympic Games itself, and this is corroborated by Engr. Habu Gumel, President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (N.O.C)”.
Dare added “we must celebrate the glory Para Sports has given to Nigeria and also create a system where we can usher in the next generation of talents into the mainstream”.
The Games which began on Saturday is expected to be concluded on Friday, April 15th.
