For the past few years, the paralymic games have witnessed tremendous growth through increase in participation, media recognition and massive spectatorship within the country, and the zonal rep of the para athletics association, Silver Chinedu Ezikpe has assured that the organization would throw it’s weight behind the growth of the sport in the region.

He made this declaration immediate after at the zonal representatives election for the sports federation today at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Ezikpe popularly called “barrister” in an exclusive interview with sports correspondent, Ugo Okeiyi, hinted that the polls were conducted under a free, fair, credible and condusive atmosphere void of rancour, resentment or bitterness, adding that delegates worked together in producing capable candidates that would project the zone at the federation.

The sports administrator, who is also a board member of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN) further noted that as a result of his contributions and impact in the last administration it was unanimously agreed that he should continue in his office, believing that with his wealth of experience he will continue to attract attention and activities to the zone.

Reflecting on how the last tenure fared, the 2016 Paralympic and World Champion gold medalist, Lucy Ejike, who is an athlete from Enugu State shared her sentiments concerning the last excos, admonishing the new reps on how to develop and grow sports in the region.

It would be recalled that Team Nigeria made it paralympic debut at the 1992 Barcelona paralympic games with six athletes that competed in track and field, powerlifting and table tennis with Ajiboye Ajibola winning two gold medals in sprint while Monday Emoghawve getting a medal in powerlifting. Since then the country has participated in every edition of paralympic games.