The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Thursday in Abuja assured Nigerians that the country’s 2016 Paralympians would make the country proud in Rio.
Dalung gave the assurance at a send-forth ceremony organised by the ministry for 29 athletes and coaches heading to Brazil for the 2016 Paralympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Usually we have always been doing very well at the Paralympics and the challenge these athletes here are throwing now is that even as physically-challenged persons, they are doing their best for the country.
“If they have that opportunity to be able-bodied, they will do more than the able-bodied.
“And I believe that what the able-bodied people cannot do for Nigeria, the physically-challenged people will do it. But they have to be patriotic and compete clean in Rio,’’ he said.
The minister charged the Paralympics athletes to compete at every point in Brazil cleanly.
“It is not about winning medals, but it’s about protecting the image of Nigeria as a country,” he said.
The leader of the team, Lucy Ejike, said while the road to Rio has been tough, she was sure the team would not disappoint Nigerians.
“The only thing we need from Nigerians is their prayers. Always remember us in all your prayers. God is with us, because whatever we the special athletes do, the hand of God is always there.
“Today we are highly motivated, and I can say that you will hear about our feat in Rio,” she assured.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Games will hold from Wednesday to Sept. 18.(NAN)