NAN-S-3
Athletics
By kemi Ajayi
Lagos, July 18, 2017 (NAN) Maurice Folarinwa, a para-athletics coach in the Delta Sports Commission, on Tuesday urged the authorities to ensure regular athletes’ participation in international competitions to increase the country’s slot at the Paralympics.
Folarinwa, who spoke against the backdrop of the country’s absence at the ongoing World Para-Athletics Championships in London, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that participating in such event was vital.
“Para-athletics will only produce few medals in the Paralympics if we don’t increase our slots by participating in at least two international competitions in a year before the Games.
“The more international competitions we participate in, the better for us and by so doing, we will get additional medals in the Paralympics.
“Nothing stops the country from getting more medals through athletics just the way para-powerlifting always clinched medals in the Games,’’ he said.
He added that most coaches are not conversant with the latest trends in the sport because of lack of funds to attend capacity building seminars.
“A whole lot of things are not right as far as para-athletics is concerned, even those of us coaches can’t boast of attending any seminar to upgrade our knowledge,’’ he said.
Folarinwa therefore, urged stakeholders to close ranks in order to enhance the profile of the sport. (NAN)
KOA/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)