Focus On Para Soccer, Coach Tasks NSC

After winning the Super4Clash Para soccer Charity Tournament, Head Coach of Team Sardauna, Ibrahim Musa, has called National Sports Commission, NSC, to give attention to the sport in the country.

Musa disclosed this, after his team defeated Team Zik   2-1 in the final of  the competition held on Saturday at the Indoor Sport Hall of University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

Musa told P.M.NEWS Sports that time has come for the sports ministry to develop the sport and ensure that greater attention is given to parasoccer players in the country.

“I am happy  that para soccer is fast developing in Nigeria. Presently, Nigeria has players who are hungry for success but these players lack regular competitions that will keep them fit. If there are regular parasoccer tournaments, I think Nigeria can go all the way and compete with their counterparts  at the international competitions,” he said.

In his own remark, Head Coach of  Team Zik, Tony Chukwu, said sports loving Nigerians cannot appreciate the physically challenged  athletes because they don’t watch their game regularly. He said Nigeria has potentials in all disable sports. He blamed the authorities for not giving much attention to the game and its players when it is necessary.

“This is a country that we don’t appreciate our disabled athletes instead we prefer to watch Super Eagles matches and abandoned other sports which is very unfortunate. If authorities can focus on all disabled sports, I think Nigeria will perform excellently well in future international competitions,” he said.

Speaking on the team’ success, Musa said his team won the game because the players played to his instructions. Musa who is working as a coach with Kano State Sports Council in the last 25 years boasted that his opponents gave them a good fight but  his team were technically better which gave them the victory.

Meanwhile, Team Sarduana left no one in doubt of their intention of  winning the tournament as they had earlier defeated Team Nkrumah from Ghana 5-0 in the knockout stage match.

Though Team Zik showed class against Team Awo in the knockout stage match with a 2-0 victory, the Eastern Nigeria-based team could not withstand the firepower of Team Sardauna in the final match watched by dignitaries that included Mrs. Enitan Oshodi, wife of Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, who represented the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Director of Strategy, Promasidor, the sponsor company. Mr. Anders Einarsson and CEO of Total Consult, the organiser, Mr. Theo Lawson.

The third place encounter was won by Team Nkrumah who beat Team Awo 2-1. Highest goal scorer of the one day event, Murtala Al Hassan, who scored three goals, said he was delighted that his goals gave Team Sardauna the brass-made winners’ trophy.

He commended the sponsor and the organizers for giving the physically challenged people the chance to showcase their talent.

“Winning N100,000 from this competition will give me the chance to start a small business which I have been looking for ways to do in the last few years. I thank Promasidor and Total Consult for this opportunity given to us,” the polio victim said.

He called on other physically challenged people like him not to see their disability as the end of the world but see hope in sporting activities like para soccer.

CEO of Total Consult, Lawson commended the sponsor, Promasidor and notable partners that extended hands of support for the successful organization of the Super4Clash, saying “we wish to express our profound gratitude to the following their support: Promasidor, Lagos State Sports Ministry, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Inter Governmental Relations, Parasoccer Federation of Nigeria, Lagos Caledonain Society, Sweet Sensation, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, K.O.C. Litho, DV Worx, Robin & Hugh Campbell and Nigerian Filed Society,” Lawson said.

—Sunday Akintoye