Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has praised Team Nigeria’s inspiring start to the inaugural West Africa Para Games after the country’s amputee football team delivered a dominant 11–0 victory over Benin Republic in Abeokuta.
Speaking after watching the match live at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Olopade said Nigeria’s decision to host the maiden edition of the Games was driven by the nation’s proud legacy in para sports and the Commission’s commitment to deepening inclusion and empowerment.
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He described the emphatic performance as “a powerful statement and a reflection of the renewed hope agenda for Nigerian para athletes.”
“We all can see that hosting these Games has given renewed hope and assurance to people living with disabilities. Personally, I cannot be tired of associating with them because they symbolize resilience and determination,” Olopade said.
He commended the amputee football team for their explosive display, noting that the result is a clear sign of Nigeria’s leadership role in para sports across the region.
The match was one of the highlights of the opening ceremony, where striker Usman Ahmed Tijani scored four goals, while Michael Akachi and Daniel Tochukwu both netted hat-tricks. Ibrahim Ndako added one more to seal the 11–0 rout.
Earlier, the event began with a colourful march-past by participating nations and a rich cultural showcase that officially placed Ogun State in continental history as the first-ever host of the West Africa Para Games.
President of the Africa Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, who declared the Games open, thanked the Nigerian Government and Ogun State for their commitment to para sports development.
Similarly, President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, acknowledged the strong backing from the NSC under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, saying their intervention made Nigeria’s hosting possible.
With Nigeria off to a flying start, Olopade reaffirmed the NSC’s dedication to providing sustained support for para athletes as the Games continue in Abeokuta.
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