By Olusegun Folarin
Taraba State has emerged champion in the male and female categories of the 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball National Open Championship in Abeokuta after an intense 3 – day test of the paralympians speed, agility, and durability.
Sports lovers witnessed series of electrifying encounters as players surmount the challenges of dilapidated wheelchairs to showcase their determination, skills and competitiveness.
Taraba male team defeated Oyo state by 12 points to six while the female team edged out Delta State by 5 points to 4 in the finals of the championship played at the Alake Sports Centre Ijeja.
In the mixed doubles, Lagos State beat Taraba State by four points to 3 to win the gold medal while Oyo state defeated Delta State by 7 points to six to win the bronze medal.
Speaking with sports Journalists after the competition, President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Mr Seyi Johnson, said he was impressed with the participating teams’ zeal, commitment and spirit of sportsmanship during the competition.
Mr Johnson who affirmed the Federation’s readiness to address the lapses noticed during the championship applauded the leadership of the National Sports Commission and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for ensuring the competition’s success.
Governor Abiodun had earlier during an inspection visit to the sports Centre commended the Wheelchair basketball players for their dedication and resilience, while encouraging them to focus on excelling.
President of Paralympic Committee, Mr Sunday Odebode who said the championship was part of preparations for next year’s Commonwealth games also acknowledged an improvement in the games’ organization and players performance.
Some of the athletes who spoke with sportswriters after the thrilling display their expertise on cambered, appreciated the organizers for making the competition worthwhile as they filed out for the presentation of medals, certificates and trophies to winning teams.
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