Lagos – Mr Brown Ochor, a sport medicine officer with the National Sports Commission, says people with health challenges such as asthma, diabetes and hypertension can still engage in sport.
Ochor made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said health challenges should not deter anyone from engaging in sport.
“That you are sick does not mean that you cannot engage in sport.
“You can be asthmatic and still play sport; you can be a diabetic and still play sport.
“You can be hypertensive and still play sport, but you have to comply with the drug prescription you have been given.
“That you are sick does not mean (anything), unless if you are paralysed as such that you cannot move.“
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Ochor advised athletes to always go for regular medical check-up to know their health status.
“We do seminars once in a while to educate these athletes so that they will know the importance of medical checkups.
“This will also build their confidence and make them to perform better in sport, which will eventually earn them what they have set out to achieve in life.“
The officer, however, identified ignorance, poverty, and cultural beliefs as some of the challenges athletes faced especially in managing their injuries or medical conditions. (NAN)
