PARALYMPIC ATHLETES RETURN TO HEROIC WELCOME

The first batch of athletes to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio returned to the country yesterday.

They were received by senior staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, members of the Supporters club, the sporting press, well wishers and family members.

At a brief reception held at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, the Acting Permanent Secretary and Director Enterprises Mr. Luka Jonathan Mangset thanked the athletes for representing and making Nigeria proud at the Paralympics.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung, the acting Permanent Secretary promised that a bigger reception will be held for the team when all other members of Team Nigeria to the games return.

"On behalf of Mr President, Vice President and the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, the Permanent Secretary and all good people of Nigeria, I welcome you back to Nigeria. We are celebrating you now because you have done this country proud. History was made with your glorious and victorious outing to the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
We appreciate your individual and collective efforts which placed Nigeria on a very prominent position on the medals table.
I am happy that Nigeria topped all the African nations in this outing.
I want to congratulate you and pray that when the others come, we will give you a more befitting welcome".

Responding, a member of Team Nigeria and silver medalist, Esther Onyema thanked the Ministry of Youth and Sports for organizing a rousing welcome for the athletes.
In a short speech, she said the Paralympic athletes had never received such impressive reception in recent times.

“We are all glad today and we thank God for today because since we've been traveling, this has never happened. We are glad and we thank you all for supporting us.”

On the secret behind their record breaking feat, she traced it to the high level of patriotism and “never say die” spirit.

“Whatever we do as Special athletes, we always put in extra effort to succeed . We were determined. We did not do this for ourselves alone, but for the country because the national anthem says we should serve the country with all our strength . We did our best to make the country proud and right now we are number 1 in Africa" Onyema said.

The second batch of athletes will arrive in Abuja on Monday.
Team Nigeria to the 2016 Paralympic games won a total of 8 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals to place 17th.

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE
SA MEDIA
18-09-2016


Source: http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2016/09/nigeria-paralympic-athletes-return-to.html

Read more. http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2016/09/nigeria-paralympic-athletes-return-to.html

sixtuschimere:
More

more

wat the complete nigerians could not do these ones did

Good Job guys..


Tiri Gbosa for you guys..


Meanwhile, they've done more than our expectations even in the midst of all this bruhaha going on in this Buhari government. What Dalung and his able-bodied from United State of Nigeria couldn't do..

We thank God for the impact Goodluck Ebele Jonathan made I their lives.

Congratulations.

EgusiSoup:
We thank God for the impact Goodluck Ebele Jonathan made I their lives.

Congratulations.

But when the olympics athletes returned with nothing y'all blaming buhari abi? Try get sense small.

Ability in Disability.

I just wish Mr.President can properly host them.

They proved people who thought they're nothing Wrong. Welcome back home.

They shouldn't go to see the dullard Buhari. Because he didn't contribute anything to their welfare. Buhari must resign now if he truly love one Nigeria

I must congratulate you all our indefatigable, amiable paralitics Rioooo-game participiants,..may God double your strenght & success in Jesus name

they realy make this country proud let clap for them........ nice one congratlation..... and happy birthday to me

Ok

Welcome home, industrious daughters and men of Nigeria, God will strenghten those that went before you for we didn't even know when they sneaked back into Nigeria.

Well done guys!!

Keep the Flag flying.. Indeed, there are abilities in disabilities.

Its a shame That the red barret officer fail to welcome this guys from Rio after Him lead a contingent to Rio and squandered our resources in the other Olympic. SHAME ON HIM


Kudos to the Paralynpians . They really made us Proud. They represented us and their Families Well.

May God continue to strengthen them

congrats

Better pikins
I pray that muntula sports minister will not sit on their allowances

Welcome home guys. Your patriotism is highly noted

really, they are "special athletes"

.

Congratulations to this amazing people!

So the yeye Minister couldn't be present, not even d junior minister too? These our dead leaders just don't know how to boost people's spirits and keep them high!

And our so called able bodied men no get single gold for olympics..... Congrats to them

Edwinmason:
wat the complete nigerians could not do the incomplete ones did

They are not 'incomplete'. That's a disgusting thing to say!

is like the disabled will be representing nigeria now because they outperformed those that are able representing Nigeria.we should stop wasting money.

So that red beret guy was represented at the airport,welcome guys we love u......the thunder that will fire that minister for sports is still gathering bet9ja odds

Buhari dey wait una with handshake.
Yeye leaders

ok

johnwizey:
But when the olympics athletes returned with nothing y'all blaming buhari abi? Try get sense small.

my guy, try to recognize a sarcastic statement when u see one. The minister once blamed the previous administration for not making adequate plans for the 2016 olympic game. that he inherited a not-so-well-prepared team. maybe he should blame the previous administration for this.