Kwara State contingent at the second edition of the National Para Games (NPG), which ended today, Thursday December 14th, 2023 in Abuja, won a total of 24 medals, despite challenges brought about what many stakeholders in sports attribute to poor preparation by the Ministry of Sports Development.
Instructively, Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports was absent at the closing ceremony of the Games, but was represented by Ismail Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development.
According to the final medal log made available by the Technical Department of the Organising Committee, Kwara won a total of four gold medals, six silver and 14 bronze to place 12th.
The position represents a slump from it’s previous 9th position.
Kwara, like Oyo, Lagos and others, suffered after about five events were canceled despite participation by athletes on account of their lack of competitiveness even though medals were presented.
As learnt, the medals had to be canceled because less than six states participated in the events rendering them non-competitive, according to Para Athletics Rules.
In the overall, Bayelsa won the Games with a total of 74 medals, with 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze.
Abia cames second with a total of 35 medals; 16 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze.
Kano came third with a total medal hurl of 44 medals, with 15 gold, 12 silver and 17 bronze.
Speaking on the state’s performance, Ibrahim Bako, Director of Sports, Kwara State Sports Commission on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Coach Bola Mogaji, said that useful lessons were learnt from the entire event.
“On behalf of the Sports Commission’s Chairman, I must thank the Kwara contingents for the efforts they put up. We have to do more next time,” Bako said.
He however, lamented the poor preparation and arrangements that attended the event which, according to the Director, happened because the Ministry failed to carry the Forum of Directors of Sports along.
“Things could have been done better, or better still postponed”, he added.
