Wheelchair basketball not compulsory at Gateway Games, says Federation
The President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Seyi Johnson, has refuted reports claiming that the Ogun State Government has elevated wheelchair basketball to the status of a compulsory sport at the upcoming 2024 National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games.
Johnson clarified that the report is false and a misrepresentation of what transpired during the Extraordinary National Council on Sports meeting recently held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“I want to use this medium to set the record straight — at no point was wheelchair basketball listed by Ogun State as a compulsory sport for the Gateway Games,” he said.
“Nothing of the sort occurred, and the communiqué issued after the council meeting clearly outlined all decisions made regarding the Sports Festival in Ogun State and future editions.”
He urged members of the media to verify their information before publication to avoid the spread of misinformation and misleading headlines.
“It was a very fruitful deliberation on how to improve the upcoming Sports Festival in Ogun State and future editions, aligning with the new vision of the current leadership of the National Sports Commission. Within the Nigeria wheelchair basketball community, we support and align with this new direction for sports in the country,” he added.
Johnson emphasized that wheelchair basketball remains one of the optional sports at the upcoming festival, and that status has not changed.
The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival is scheduled to take place in Ogun State from May 16 to 30, 2025.
