The first southwest para powerlifting championship holding in ijebu-ode kicked off on Monday with the technical director of para powerlifting federation of Nigeria Mrs joy maiyaki encouraging government to invest in sports in a bid to empower the youth most especially the physically challenged sportsmen and women.
She further stated that the hosting of the championship is not to discover new talent per say but to discourage street begging among the physically challenged Athletes .
The national vice President who also doubled as the state chairman for the host state , Ogun state, Deacon Gbolahan Eweje commended the state government for its support towards the successful hosting of the championship.
The Para powerlifting head coach in Ogun state, Mrs Oluwakemi Oyebola said the association would continue to monitor and nurture the new athletes.
About 120 male and female athletes drawn from the southwest region of Nigeria are competing for different weight categories.
