The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and the Special Assistant on Sports to President Muhammadu Buhari, Daniel Amokachi, have led a rousing welcome for the first batch of Paralympians who returned home from Tokyo, Japan.
The athletes, mainly the power lifters, arrived in Lagos Thursday afternoon aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight to the warm welcome of the minister, Daniel Amokachi, as well as some journalists and supporters.
During the short reception held at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Mr. Sunday Dare and Daniel Amokachi praised the athletes for giving their best and doing the nation proud.
The sports minister also commended them for competing fairly and holding their own against some of the best Paralympians in the world.
He said: “You have done us proud. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is happy with you. Nigerians are happy with you and all we can say now to all of you is ‘thank you.
“It is not just about the colour of medals around your necks. Whether you have a medal round your necks or not, you have demonstrated that you have great abilities in spite of your challenges.
“You should also be happy and proud of yourselves. You broke records, set some new world records, received standing ovations many times and held your own against the best and kept your heads up,” Dare concluded.