Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Adesola Olusade, has charged the newly elected executive board members of Paralympic Committee of Nigeria to work out modalities on how to improve the various paralympic sports in the country.
He gave the advice in Lagos during the election of the committee held at the Media Centre of the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.
According to him, they have the responsibility to source for sponsors, review the constitution where necessary and map out programmes that will sustain the success recorded at international competitions by the country’s special athletes.
The Permanent Secretary, while promising that an appeal committee would be set up to handle complaints arising from the election, explained that the election became necessary in order to keep to the World Paralympic Federation constitution, which stipulates that election must be held every four years, even as he stated that the former board overstayed their tenure by two years.
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In the election, among others, President of Wheel Chair Basketball Federation, Brigadier General Emico Eruwa polled a total of eight votes to defeat Queen Uboh Moses of Paralifting and David Anyaele of sitting volleyball who got six and two votes, respectively to emerge the new President of the committee.
Also, President of Amputee Football Federation, Suleiman Isah, polled nine votes to defeat Sylvester Ogunye and Geoffrey Ogu who scored four and three votes respectively to emerge as the Secretary General.
while Anderson Bankole, Dayo Akindeju, Module Lawale and Sunday Ordion where elected unnopposed as 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary respectively.
Speaking after the election, new President, Brigadier General Emico Eruwa promised that his board will operate an open door policy and that they will put in their best to ensure the sports is moved to the next level.
A total 16 delegates from eight Parasports Federations namely; amputee football, powerlifting, para table tennis, sitting volleyball, para swimming, wheel chair basketball and pars athletics participated in the voting .