21st March, 2011
The Nigerian Para-Athletics Federation rose from its meeting in Lagos State recently to fix 22-26 March for the National Open Para-Athletics trials in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Nigeria.
President of the federation, Dr Frank Thorpe, disclosed this at the end of the trials held at the secretariat of the Nigeria Olympic Committee in Lagos.
He said the championship is very important because the federation wants to use it to select the athletes that will be invited to camp for the All Africa Games slated for Maputo, Mozambique.
Thorpe explained that most of Nigerian athletes are not fit due to lack of competitions. Hence, there is need for the federation to get them actively engaged in high profile competitions as part of the preparation for the All Africa Games and the London 2012 Olympic Games.
According to him, special sports athletes are key to Nigeria’s success in major global championships, and that the federation is working round the clock to ensure that Team Nigeria have a good outing in these international competitions.
Thorpe said the trials will enable the athletes familiarise with most of the sports equipment which are customised.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of the federation, Sunny Obot, disclosed that the trials is opened to all Para-Athletics athletes across the country, saying that those that excelled at the trials will be called to camp immediately to begin preparation for the forthcoming all Africa Games.
