12th April, 2011
Easter period will be a busy time for physically challenged players as the 4th edition of Prosimador Para Soccer Championship holds in Lagos from 22-24 April.
P.M Sports gathered that eight teams from Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna and Adamawa States will trade tackles in the tourney which will hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Lagos.
The tournament will feature Premium Blazers, Total Consult, NAS Warriors and Lead United from Lagos State, Team Rivers and Amaechi Babes (Rivers State), Kaduna Para Soccer and Brai Moi teams from Adamawa State.
The tournament, which is organised by the Lagos State Paralympics Association, LSPA ,and Total Consult Limited, is sponsored by Promasidor Nigeria Ltd.
According to the chairman of the LSPA, Babatunde Awelenge, the competition is aimed at encouraging the physically challenged to embrace sports and to be socially responsible, adding that keeping them busy will take the players from street begging.
“We believe that there is ability in disability. If the physically challenged channel their energies to sporting activities, it will make them socially responsible in the society.
“We also want to use the tournament to prepare our athletes for the 17th National Sports Festival scheduled for June in Port Harcourt,†Awelenge said.
The chairman, who is also the Vice-President of the Paralympics Committee for the South-West Zone, commended Promasidor Nigeria. Ltd. for sponsoring the championship and appealed to other corporate organisations to emulate the company.
Idowu George, Para soccer Coordinator for Total Consult, said that the Managing Director/CEO of the company, Theo Lawson, is keen to see the success of the 4th edition of the tourney in Lagos State. He noted that Promasidor’s interest in the championship would go a long way to help the physically challenged showcase their God-given talent. He, therefore, called on Nigerians to support the tournament
“The championship is meant to take the physically-challenged off the streets, it will also prevent them from engaging in criminal activities,†he said. According to him, cash rewards and trophies would be given to the best teams.
Lead Warriors emerged winners in the 2010 edition, while Total Consult Terrors and Baba Mai were second and third respectively.
—Taiwo Adelu
