A member of the House of Representatives, representing Ekiti North Federal constituency, Mr Akintunde Rotimi Jr., has donated N700,000 to the Ekiti Para athletics contingent ahead of the National Sports Festival.
This is contained in a statement by Blessing Akinyemi, the Media Officer of the Para Athletics, on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.
Akinyemi said Rotimi, who is also the Chairman of the Ekiti State Para Athletics Association, was passionate about the welfare and success of the state team at the festival.
He said that the support was in addition to the official sponsorship already provided by the Ekiti government with.
Akinyemi added that the funds have been disbursed as direct personal grants to members of the contingent, covering both athletes and support personnel.
According to him, members of the contingent and the events they will participate in include Oguntuase Mary, Shot Put, Araomo Oladapo , Shot Put , Olaniyi Joshua, Shot Put, Discus.
Others are Rotawo Segun, 100m, Shot Put (Blind category); Lawal Saliu, Shot Put; Ajayi David, Discus, Shot Put and Javelin; and Adetolu Christian, Shot Put.
Ajimati Modupe, Discus, Shot Put; Taiwo Olasunkanmi, Discus and Asaolu Reuben, Javelin.
He said the contingent would be led by the Head Coach Ojo Peter, under whose guidance the team is expected to make the state proud.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rotimi was appointed Chairman of the Ekiti State Para Athletics Association by the Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, with a mandate to reposition para sports in the state.
The appointment of the federal lawmaker was also to foster talent discovery and enhance the welfare of athletes living with disabilities in the state.
The 22nd National Sports Festival will kick off on May,16 to 30, in Ogun.
In his goodwill message to the contingent, Rotimi said, “This grant is a token of my belief in you, our heroes of resilience. You have proven that there is ability in disability.
“As you represent Ekiti at the Gateway Games, go with courage, go with pride, and return with glory,” he said. (NAN)
