By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-19 03:43:49
President of the Nigeria Para volleyball Federation, Kayode Ladele, is making an appeal for funding support from the Federal Government and corporate bodies to ensure the successful hosting of the African qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. With seven days left until the start of the qualifiers, Ladele announced that the federation is currently at a 45 per cent readiness level, with funding being at the center of the necessary arrangements for the event.
Ladele stressed the need for corporate sponsors and organizations to support the movement, stating that everything needed for the arrangements is in place, but they cannot do it alone. He also lamented the negligence of People With Disabilities (PWDs) in contravention of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on inclusion and highlighted the significance of para-volleyball as a family-oriented team sport.
In addition, Ladele mentioned that Nigeria Para volleyball Federation is seeking support and help from the government and corporate Nigerians, as so much attention has been given to football in the past. Regarding the readiness of the national teams (men and women) for the qualifiers, Ladele revealed that both teams have been in camp for over a week and are in high spirits. He confidently declared that Nigeria is going to secure a ticket for the 2024 Paralympic Games.
The African qualifiers will be hosted by Nigeria between January 29 and February 3, 2024, at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. In the men’s category, Nigeria will compete against Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya in Group A for the Paralympic Games ticket, while Zimbabwe will face off against Rwanda, Algeria, and Libya in Group B. For the women’s category, the Nigerian team will compete against Kenya, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, with two teams qualifying from each category.
The Nigerian men’s team will start their campaign with a game against Kenya, while the women will play against Zimbabwe.
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