The first batch of the victorious Team Nigeria Paralympics returned to the country yesterday to a rousing welcome when they landed at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
The athletes, mainly the power lifters, arrived in the afternoon aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight to the warm welcome of the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, Special Assistant on Sports to President Muhammdu Buhari, Daniel Amokachi, as well as an appreciable number of journalists and supporters.
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During a short reception at the airport, Dare and Amokachi praised the athletes for giving their best and making the nation proud.
The Sports Minister also commended the physically challenged athletes for competing fairly and holding their own against some of the best Paralympians in the world.
“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 neck 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.
Unlike their Olympics counterparts who managed to win only two medals (one silver and one bronze), Team Nigeria Paralympics won three gold, one silver and four bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
