By Ijeoma Okigbo
Frank Harrison, founder of Boccia Nigeria, has called on Nigerians and corporate organisations to partner in establishing a community centre for athletes living with cerebral palsy and other physical challenges.
Harrison made the appeal in Abuja on Friday during the celebration of the fifth anniversary of Boccia sports development in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Boccia is a precision indoor target ball sport designed specifically for athletes with severe physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
According to him, the proposed centre will provide accommodation, training facilities and support services for athletes participating in the sport.
“We are celebrating our anniversary today and we want to call on Nigerians to come and partner with us.
“We are working on a community centre for cerebral palsy and other physically challenged athletes.
“The sport itself has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1984 and is designed mainly for athletes with severe physical disabilities, especially cerebral palsy.
“That is why we are developing the sport in Nigeria for cerebral palsy and other physically challenged athletes as well,” he said.
The founder noted that the proposed community centre became necessary because cerebral palsy athletes require special care and support.
“We must have a community centre for Boccia because cerebral palsy athletes will not be stressed as compared to other physically challenged athletes.
“The facility would include residential apartments, a training hall and a gymnasium, while each cerebral palsy athlete would also require assistants for support,” he said.
Harrison also noted that the sport was gradually gaining acceptance in Nigeria, adding that three states in the country had already embraced it.
According to him, Lagos State recorded a large turnout when the sport was introduced in February, while Abia also hosted an introductory programme in March through the support of the state sports council.
He added that the sport had been recognised as a member of the Nigeria Paralympic Committee (NPC), expressing optimism that athletes would feature in numerous national competitions in future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
