A member of Nigeria’s gold medal winning team in mixed wheelchair basketball at the 1st West Africa Para-Games in Abeokuta, Bailey Segun has set his eyes on representibg Nigeria at the next Commonwealth championship in Rwanda and thanked several sports administrators for giving him hope.
He singled out National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman, Shehu Dikko, and the body’s director-general, Bukola Olopade for special recognition, as well the president of Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, Seyi Johnson, who also heads International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) in West Africa.
Read Also: Calvin Bassey Rates Osimhen On Same Level With Erling Haaland | Sports247 Nigeria
While also thanking the president of Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), Sunday Odebode for his unflinching support of the sport, Bailey noted that Nigeria hardly struggled in their 9-1 victory over Ghana.
“It was a fantastic final, and just like a replay, after we earlier met in the group stage. We expected a tough final, but they didn’t give us much problem.
“They actually did their best, but Nigeria played better and prevailed at the end of the day,” Bailey retorted.
He also spoke about his personal thoughts about the victory and what it means to him as a very ambitious wheelchair basketball player.
Bailey declared, “I’m excited and happy that I’ve won a gold medal for Nigeria. I would also say this tournament is a good development for para-athletes in Nigeria, and I’m looking forward to more tournaments like this.
“I also want to say a big thank you to the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko; and to the father of disability people in Nigeria, Honourable Bukola Olopade. Also, thanks to the brain behind this tournament, Sunday Odebode, the PCN president.
“I’m really excited that I had the opportunity to participate in this tournament. I know it will help us join hands to develop wheelchair basketball further in Nigeria.”
He then focused on a lot of benefits that are expected to flow after the team’s outing in the regional contest, top of which is the additional exposure gained by the players, who he believes are always good enough to chase a wider scope of glory.
“It will help us reach continental standards. So far, our progress has been very smooth. Kudos for that to the president of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria, Mr Seyi Johnson.
“We used to be stagnant, but since he came in, he has turned the federation around. So, I want to say a very big thank you to him; even as we look forward to more.
“As it were, our main goal is to represent Nigeria at the next Commonwealth Wheelchair Basketball Championship, which will take place in Rwanda,” Bailey enthused.
