Deaf Athletics Protest Exclusion From National Sports Festival In Edo













Deaf Athletics Protest Exclusion From National Sports Festival In Edo
 
By Editor 
 

The Nigeria Deaf Track and Field Association, Edo state chapter, has protested what it called discrimination practices against its members.

Members of the association who protested on Monday at the NUJ Secretariat in Benin City, said they decided to campaign against their exclusion for its oppressive policy.

“This demonstration is part of a coordinated action taking place simultaneously across all states of the Federation,” they said.

Led by their acting coach, Chukwuman Nwanko, they said: “The purpose of this protest is to express our deep concern and dissatisfaction regarding the exclusion of Deaf Sports from the forthcoming National Sports Festival scheduled to take place in Enugu State, while other categories of para-sports have been included.”

According to members of the association, they considered their exclusion a serious matter that requires urgent attention. Deaf athletes deserve equal opportunities, recognition, inclusion, and fair treatment within the Nigerian sporting community.

They wondered if their exclusion was because they are deaf or for any other reason.

Carrying placards with different inscriptions, such as “Deaf athletics matter stop the discrimination in 2026”, “Para sports is for all,” Equal rights for Deaf Athletics”, among others, they said sports is for all.

“As representatives of the Deaf sporting community, we firmly believe that regardless of disability, they deserve equal opportunities to participate in national events and contribute to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria. The exclusion of the deaf sports undermines the principles of equality, inclusivity, and fairness should guide national sporting activities,” they asserted.

They assured the public that the protest will be peaceful and orderly, and will be conducted in accordance with the law. ”We don’t have intention of damaging public property or engaging in any form of violence. Our objective is to peacefully express our grievances.”

The association therefore appealed to relevant authorities to reconsider the exclusion of deaf sports from the National Sports Festival

Earlier, chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Festus Alenkhe, stated sports development requires all abilities, and pleaded with authorities concerned to involve them in the games.

He said it was not good for the authority concern to have left out members of the association in a national festival.

While advising them to go about their protest in peaceful manner, he promised that members of the NUJ will help bring their plight to authorities through various media houses.

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