Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) has gravely expressed concern and appalling the decision of National Council On Sports on exclusion of Para sports from National Sports Festival.
In a Press release titled EXCLUSION OF PARA SPORT FROM THE NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL: A CLINICAL SHOWING DISCRIMINATION signed by Daniel Onw Esq, the National President and Yusuf Iyodo, the Director of Media and Publicity, the group said it is indubitable that more than any other sports, Para sports have made this country proud by the many successes and laurels they have won at international competitions.
“Consequently, the world has with great awe taken to the liking of Nigerian para sports athletes especially in the game of power lifting, athletics, and tennis which they very interestingly beat their counterparts across the globe” they added.
“Since Rio and London Paralympics, para sports in Nigeria have become more attractive than other regular sports”.
ALDIN which is conglomeration of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria for the purpose for getting justice for persons with disabilities, condemned in the strongest terms, the unjustifiable and inexplicable act of exclusion of persons with disabilities, in a time like this, when inclusion has become the global heart cry.
“Such act would falsely be passing Nigeria off as a country swimming against the global tide of development”.
“Such act is also a sacrilegious violation of the express provisions of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act”.
The group made it clear, that they will not stand idly by and watch the de-marketing, demotivating and the gross violation of the rights of distinguished para sports men and women, by any body in whatsoever guise.
Accordingly, they demand the immediate reversal of this obnoxious and barbaric act of exclusion of persons with disabilities, with immediate effect.
“If this demand for immediate reversal is not complied with, then, the said National Sports Festival may not hold after all” they stated,
ALDIN promised proceeding to court and obtain the necessary court order restraining the holding of the discriminatory sports festival.
“Nigeria belongs equally to every Nigerian, and no person or class of persons should be treated like second class citizen” they added.
