Nigeria’s Para athletes depart for Germany ahead Paralympic games

In the wake of the 2024 Olympic Games, Nigeria is shifting its focus to the upcoming Paralympic Games, with high hopes for a successful performance. The country’s contingent of Para athletes departed for Germany earlier this week for a rigorous training tour in preparation for the Paralympic Games, scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 11, 2024, in Paris.

Mrs. Teclar Opara, Director of the National Sports Festival and Paralympic Games at the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, disclosed that a team of 37 athletes and officials embarked on the 10-day training tour. The athletes are expected to head to Paris directly from Germany on August 22, 2024, to compete in the main events.

Nigeria will be represented by 27 athletes across four sports categories: Para Athletics, Para Badminton, Powerlifting, and Para Table Tennis.

Before the team’s departure, Mr. Sunday Odebode, President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, addressed the athletes at the airport, expressing confidence in their potential to excel. He encouraged them to maintain their usual high level of patriotism and resilience to secure podium finishes throughout the competition.

Odebode reminded the athletes of the high expectations placed on them by Nigerians, particularly in light of Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the recently concluded Olympic Games.

The training tour in Germany is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that Nigeria’s Para athletes are well-prepared and poised for success on the global stage in Paris.