LAGOS – Some para-power lifting athletes on Monday appealed to government for better welfare [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]package.
Yemisi Salami, a para-power lifter, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that physically [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]challenged athletes were not well taken care of by the sports [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]authorities in the country.
The athlete advised that more attention should be given to disabled athletes.
Salami said that stipends paid to athletes by the sports federation were not enough to take care of their
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basic needs.
“The stipends are not even enough to take care of our transport fares from our home to the stadium,’’ she said.
Salami said that good welfare package would serve as motivation for the physically challenge athletes to take to sports.
“Some of us are coming from far distance to train as early as 8.00 am and we need money to ease our movement to and from the stadium.
“We need foods and supplements after training for more strength because sports participation requires a lot of energy.
“We are human beings, so we are bound to be tired after training, the only medicine we take to recover loss energy are good foods and supplements, ‘’she said.
Salami, however, pointed out that special sports had won more laurel to the country than able body athletes.
“If the governments do more for us, the country would benefit in the long run as the athletes will win more laurel for the nation.
Another para-power lifter, a silver medalist, Bose Omolayo, who won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, commended the Federal Government for rewarding the athletes.
“Government should be ready to sponsor more international tours and expose athletes to modern equipments and facilities.
“Various sports bodies should also ensure that adequate and modern equipments and facilities are provided to make our training more effective,’’ she said. (NAN)