Kenyan seeks exchange programmes to boost para sports in Africa
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, June 8, 2018 (NAN) An official of the Kenya Paralympics Committee, Bernard Ongondo, has called for increased exchange programmes among Africa countries to boost para sports development in the continent.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
Ongondo was a participant at a seminar, organised by the International Paralympics Committee (IPC), which ended in Lagos on June 7.
He noted that exchange programmes would help in the development of athletes and coaches in African countries.
According to him, Africa has what it takes to lead the world in para sports, if well-funded and coordinated.
“Each African country has it area of strength and it won’t be a bad idea if Ghanaians or Kenyans come to Nigeria to learn from Nigeria’s power-lifting coaches.
“Nigerians can also go to other Africa countries and learn from them as well; by so doing we will be having regular exchange programmes and lead the world in para sports.’’
The Kenyan appealed to Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, to reach out to other sports administrators in Africa to give para sports a facelift in the continent.
He added that people with disability should be empowered in order to bring the best out of them.
“I am making a passionate plea to the Nigerian sports minister to use his good offices to collaborate with other sports administrators in the continent to aid the development of para sports.
“Nigeria is a powerhouse in Africa and I am sure others will be eager to work with him if he takes the lead,” Ongondo said.
NAN reports that 30 para sports officials from Nigeria, Kenya and Algeria, participated in the seminar. (NAN)
KOA/JI/SN
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Editing by Joseph Idika/Silas Nwoha