President of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC), Mr. Samson Deen, has called on political and business leaders to support the growth of disability sports on the continent.
He was in Abekouta, Nigeria, to extend a hand of support to the Nigerian Paralympic Committee’s (NPC) organisation of the maiden West Africa Para Games scheduled to come off in the Ogun State in September 2025.
President Deen, in the company of the president and secretary-general of the NPC, along with Mr. Ignatius Elletey, Mr. Foster Kwarteng, and Sib Ali, all of the AfPC, as he toured the multi-purpose M.K.O. Abiola Sports Arena—host facility for the games.
In his address, he advocated for the change of mindset by deliberate investment into the Paralympics to give opportunities to deserving athletes, curbing their struggles to compete on other continents.
“We need to change our mentality from being tourists crossing the borders of the African region to Europe and America by investing in games that will see us give enough opportunity and exposure to our athletes here in Africa,” said President Deen.
An engagement with the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, during his visit, involved the operational strategy, accessibility upgrades, and the long-term legacy potential of the Games.
President Deen commended the proactiveness of the Governor of Ogun State, encouraging him to help push the development of regional and national disability sports.
