Draft:Nigerian Para Games
 | Review waiting, please be patient.
This may take 4 weeks or more, since drafts are reviewed in no specific order. There are 2,250 pending submissions waiting for review.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
Reviewer tools
|
The Nigerian Para Games is a flagship of multi-sport event contested by para-athletes from nigeria. The competition was established by the Nigerian federal government in 2022 and is organised under the authority of the National Sports Commission. It brings together athletes representing Nigeria's states and the Federal Capital Territory across multiple para-sport disciplines. The first edition was held in Abuja in April 2022, followed by a second edition in December 2023 and a third edition in March–April 2026 [1]
History
[edit]The National Para Games were introduced by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in 2022. The inaugural competition, known as the Abuja 2022 Festival, was held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja from 9 to 15 April 2022. Athletes from 21 states participated in 15 sports. The establishment of a separate national para-sport competition followed discussions within Nigeria's sports administration about the participation and development of athletes with disabilities. In October 2022, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development said that the government had established a dedicated department for para sports and had organised the first National Para Games earlier that year.[2] Bayelsa State won the inaugural edition, finishing with 31 gold, 30 silver and 32 bronze medals. Oyo State finished second and Kano State third."Bayelsa emerges National Para Games champions". The Punch. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2026. The second edition took place in Abuja from 8 to 14 December 2023. Participation expanded to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Bayelsa again finished first on the medal table, with 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals."2ND EDITION OF THE NATIONAL PARA GAMES CLOSES, BAYESLA STATE EMERGE CHAMPION". Naij News Alert. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2026. A statistical yearbook published by the Government of Cross River State records the second edition as having been held in Abuja from 7 to 16 December 2023. [3] In May 2024, the National Council on Sports approved the third edition for the first quarter of 2025.[4] The third edition was subsequently held in Abuja from 26 March to 3 April 2026 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium complex.[5] At the third edition, athletes competed in 15 sports. Enugu State finished first on the medal table with 40 gold, eight silver, and seven bronze medals. Bayelsa finished second and Edo third.
Organisation and governance
[edit]The National Para Games are organised under the authority of the National Sports Commission. The Commission's rules identify it as the owner of the Games and assign it responsibility for approving dates, issuing rules and regulations, constituting organising structures, procuring medals and trophies, providing specified funding and submitting a Games report to the Presidency.[6] The rules provide for an organising committee constituted by the National Sports and Festival and Para Sports Department. National sports federations are responsible for the technical conduct of their respective sports, while participating states enter athletes through their state sports councils or commissions. The Games were initially organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. Following the re-establishment of the National Sports Commission as Nigeria's central sports administration body under the National Sports Commission Act 2023, responsibility for the Games passed to the Commission.[7]
Participation and eligibility
[edit]The Games are open to Nigerian athletes registered by a participating state. The published rules provide that an athlete must be a Nigerian citizen and be entered by a state. They also establish restrictions on dual registration and changes of state allegiance and provide that there is no general age limit other than limits imposed by the international federation governing a particular sport. The first edition involved athletes from 21 states, while the second edition included all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The third edition also involved contingents from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Sports
[edit]The rules for the 2026 Games permitted a maximum of 15 sports: Amputee football, para athletics, para-badminton, para-canoe, para-cycling, para-karate, para powerlifting, para shooting, para soccer, para swimming, para taekwondo, para table tennis, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. The sports program has changed between editions. Reports on the inaugural Games in 2022 described competition in 15 sports, while the 2026 program comprised the 15 disciplines specified in the Games regulation
Editions
[edit]| Edition | Year | Host city | Participating states | Overall winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2022 | Abuja | 21 | Bayelsa State |
| 2nd | 2023 | Abuja | 36 states and FCT | Bayelsa State |
| 3rd | 2026 | Abuja | 36 states and FCT | Enugu State |
The inaugural Games were held in April 2022, the second edition in December 2023, and the third edition in March–April 2026
Notable participants
[edit]Samson Saaondo Ukpera Ivie Edogiawerie Peculiar Blessing Aiwekhoe Hamza Abdulmumini Docas Tanimu Rashidat Isa Albert Megbehingbe
See also
[edit]Paralympic sports Nigeria at the Paralympics Nigeria Paralympic Committee Nigerian National Sports Festival National Sports Commission (Nigeria) Sports in Nigeria
References
[edit]- ↑ "Maiden National Para Sports Kicks off in Abuja". Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2026."2nd Edition of National Para Games closes, Bayelsa State emerge champion". Naij News Alert. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2026."NSC Chairman Highlights Importance Of Para Athletes In Nigerian Sports As First Lady Declares 3rd National Para Games Closed". Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. 3 April 2026. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
- ↑ "NSF 2022: Response to petition over exclusion of some sports". TimelineNG. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
- ↑ Statistical Year Book 2024 Edition (Report). Cross River State Government. 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
- ↑ "Communique issued at the end of the First National Council on Sports held at the Old Government Lodge, Abakaliki Road, Enugu State, Wednesday, 22nd May, 2024". Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
- ↑ "Third National Para Games begin March 26". The Punch. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
- ↑ "National Para Games – General Rules and Regulations". National Para Games. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
- ↑ "National Sports Commission Act, 2023". LawCare Nigeria. 25 March 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
External links
[edit]Official website Category:Multi-sport events in Nigeria Category:Sports competitions in Abuja Category:2022 establishments in Nigeria Category:National multi-sport events
