The Acting Chairman of the Lagos State Deaf Sports Association, Reverend Samuel Ikpea, has called on corporate bodies, sports philanthropists and government to sponsor more deaf competitions.
Ikpea said this at the Lagos State Deaf Schools Athletic Competition which was held last weekend at the Agege Stadium, Lagos. The competition was facilitated by the Lagos State Ministry of Sports, Youth and Social Development and the Office of Grassroots Sports Development.
Ikpea said that he was impressed with the performance of deaf athletes, adding that, the time has come for the athletes to enjoy regular competitions. He disclosed that the association discovered a good number of athletes during the two-day event.
“I am impressed with the performance of all these deaf athletes. They really showed that they have potentials and I believe that if there are more competitions for them, Nigeria stands a good chance of excelling in future international deaf competitions. There are many talents abound here and it is the responsibility of our coaches to nurture them to stardom,” he said.
Ikpea said the performance of deaf athletes at the last National Sports Festival held in Lagos showed that the association is committed to promote the deaf sports at the grassroots level in Lagos.
He boasted that if Team Lagos could win 10 gold medals at the Eko 2012 Games, the state is ready to win more medals at the 2014 National Sports Festival in Calabar, Cross Rivers.
Meanwhile, at least 100 deaf athletes from 15 secondary schools took part in the competitions. Asogbon Taiwo of Wesley School II emerged winner in the 100m senior boy race, while Shedrac Iduh of OKI School and Sodiq Oniwide of Do Est Dot School came second and third respectively.
In the 100m senior girls, Aminat Popoola of Wesley School I came first, Emmanuel Promise of Wesley School I and James Victoria of Wesley School II came second and third respectively.
In the 200m senior girls, Echenam Onyeka of State Grammar School emerged winner. Kuti Suliyat also of State Grammar School was second, while Aminat Popoola of Wesley School I came third.
