NSC Chiefs to Open National Para Sports Festival

With three days to the start of the 3rd National Para Sports Festival, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that its leadership will headline the opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday, March 26, 2026, as preparations enter the final stage.

The festival, one of Nigeria’s major sporting events for athletes with disabilities, will bring together participants from across the country to compete in different disciplines aimed at promoting inclusiveness, talent discovery and national unity through sports. Organisers say the event has continued to grow in importance since its introduction into the country’s sports calendar.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, is expected to lead the ceremony alongside the Director-General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade. The Commission said the presence of its top officials reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of para sports and the need to give equal opportunities to all athletes regardless of physical challenges.

Speaking ahead of the festival, Olopade described the competition as more than a sporting event, noting that it represents courage, determination and the ability of athletes to overcome barriers. He said the festival would inspire young Nigerians living with disabilities to take part in sports and pursue their dreams at both national and international levels.

Events lined up for the festival include athletics, wheelchair basketball, para powerlifting, amputee football and other categories designed to give athletes the chance to compete according to international standards. Officials said the competitions will also serve as a selection ground for future national teams.

According to the Commission, the National Para Sports Festival plays a key role in preparing Nigerian athletes for global competitions, including qualifiers and championships recognised by the International Paralympic Committee. The programme is also part of efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development and ensure that no athlete is left behind.

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Sports administrators say the festival aligns with the country’s broader policy of promoting social inclusion, equal opportunity and national integration through sports, while also creating awareness about the abilities of persons living with disabilities.

The National Sports Commission has called on sports stakeholders, sponsors and members of the public to support the event, describing it as a historic platform for advancing para sports and celebrating the spirit of determination among Nigerian athletes.