Suleiman Isah, the Secretary General of Nigeria’s Paralympic Committee, has passionately advocated for the establishment of a dedicated sports commission in Niger State. He posits that this initiative would align the state government with President Bola Tinubu’s “New Hope Agenda,” mirroring the recent federal government transformation of the Ministry of Sports Development into the National Sports Commission. Isah emphasizes the importance of local ownership of this commission, viewing it as a crucial step towards progress and development within the state. He believes the proposed commission would serve as a tangible reflection of the federal government’s commitment to sports development at a grassroots level, demonstrating a unified approach to advancing athletic pursuits nationwide.
During a recent visit to Niger State, Isah and the Paralympic Committee learned about the growing public demand for a state sports commission. This groundswell of support underscores the desire within the community for a dedicated body to oversee and nurture sporting activities. He expressed his encouragement at this development, seeing it as a sign of the state government’s alignment with the national agenda for sports advancement. Isah and the committee presented their position at a public hearing at the Niger State House of Assembly, advocating for the inclusion of Paralympic sports stakeholders on the commission’s executive board. This, they argue, would ensure that the interests of athletes with disabilities are adequately represented and addressed in the state’s sporting landscape.
Isah, also President of the Nigerian Wheelchair Rugby Federation and Second Vice President of the Confederation of African Amputees, highlighted the importance of Paralympic representation on the commission’s executive board. He believes this representation would provide a voice for athletes with disabilities, ensuring their needs are considered and their opportunities maximized. This involvement, he argues, would signal a commitment to inclusivity and offer valuable expertise in managing adaptive sports programs. He stressed the need for someone with deep experience within the Paralympic movement to be part of the decision-making process, ensuring effective representation for the disability sports community. This individual would have the knowledge and understanding to champion the unique needs of these athletes and promote their successful participation in sporting activities.
The core mission of adaptive sports, as explained by Isah, is to integrate individuals with disabilities into both education and sports. He emphasized the importance of marrying these two pursuits, ensuring that athletes with disabilities have the opportunity to develop intellectually while honing their athletic skills. Passing the bill and enacting it into law would provide the necessary framework to manage and regulate disability sports in a structured manner, fostering an environment where athletes can balance their academic and athletic endeavors. Isah expressed hope that having a dedicated commission would improve the quality of life for athletes with disabilities in Niger State.
Isah passionately appealed to Governor Mohammed Bago to expedite the passage of the sports commission bill. Enactment, he believes, would demonstrate the government’s commitment to inclusivity, offering the disability sports community a sense of belonging and recognition. The inclusion of Paralympic stakeholders on the commission’s board, he stressed, would ensure the effective representation and advancement of disability sports within the state. Isah hopes that this will lead to greater participation and success for athletes with disabilities in national and international competitions. He underscores the significance of this representation, emphasizing its role in facilitating greater visibility and recognition for athletes with disabilities, solidifying their place within the state’s sporting ecosystem.
Isah voiced his disappointment over the underrepresentation of Niger State in Paralympic sports, especially considering his own position within the national Paralympic movement. He emphasized that while Nigeria achieved success at the recent Paralympic Games in France, even when able-bodied athletes fell short, no athletes from Niger State, or even the entire Northern region, participated. This absence, particularly in a region with a significant population of individuals with disabilities, highlighted the lost potential and the pressing need for a dedicated support system. He believes a sports commission would create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to showcase their abilities, compete at higher levels, and gain much-needed recognition for their talents.
