Team Nigeria emerged overall winner in the Para Powerlifting game at the ongoing 1st West Africa Para Games, securing 10 out of the 15 medals contested in the category on Sunday.
The Paralifting game took place at the Alake Sport Centre, Ijeja in Abeokuta.
According to the results released by the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation, Mrs Olabisi Afolabi-Oluwayemisi, Nigeria secured four gold, four silver and two bronze medals.
Côte d’Ivoire followed with one gold, while Ghana won one silver and two bronze medals. Benin Republic finished with a bronze medal.
A breakdown of Nigeria’s gold medal haul shows that Ibrahim Dauda claimed gold in the men’s 59kg category, while Kayode Blessing won the men’s 65kg event.
In the women’s events, Esther Onyema clinched gold in the lightweight category, and Mark Onyinyechi won gold in the heavyweight division.
The result also showed that Côte d’Ivoire’s Ado Adouherve secured gold in the men’s heavyweight category.
Speaking on the team’s performance, one of Nigeria’s para powerlifting coaches, Ijeoma Eherogbe, expressed excitement over team Nigeria’s victory, noting that the competition began on Friday and was concluded on Sunday.
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“I am so excited that Nigeria came first despite all odds. We were able to achieve this through hard work and commitment. It has not been easy, but God did it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Team Nigeria has extended its medal lead at the ongoing West Africa Para Games winning a total of 15 medals in the Para Badminton event held at the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja, Abeokuta.
The medals comprise five gold, seven silver and three bronze.
Nigeria secured gold medals in the Stand Upper 5 (SU5) men, Standing Lower 4 (SL4) men, Wheelchair 1 men and women categories, as well as in the SU5–SL3 XD and SL4–SL3 XD mixed doubles.
The performance places Nigeria ahead of other countries, with Benin Republic recording two gold and five silver medals, while Ghana has one gold and three bronze.
Head Coach of Nigeria’s Para Badminton team, Mr Olasunkanmi Adewale expressed delight with the team’s performance.
“The para badminton team is doing well in Nigeria presently. Nigeria’s men’s wheelchair team won gold, and they also secured both gold and silver medals in the retreats,” he said.
He attributed the athletes’ strong outing to their previous successes, noting that Nigeria dominated the All-African Para Badminton Championship where they won 10 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals.
“We dominated in the All-African Para Badminton Championship, and that prepared us for this tournament,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s amputee football team has qualified for the final of the football event after defeating Cameroon 1-0 in their second match of the competition.
The team had earlier thrashed Benin Republic 11-0 in their opening match.
NAN reports that Michael Joel scored the only goal of the match played at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Head Coach of the Nigerian Amputee Football team, Mr Gbenga Dosunmu, expressed optimism about winning the gold medal, while appealing for increased government support.
“There are no underdogs in this sport. We want to pick the gold for the government to intervene. Without them, we are going nowhere. We need support from the government and stakeholders,” he said.
In another match, Liberia amputee team defeated Benin Republic 7-0 to move to second place on the table with four points, after playing a goalless draw with Cameroon in their opening game.
NAN
