Para Volleyball Federation seeks support for 2024 Paralympics qualifiers

President of the Nigeria Para volleyball Federation, Kayode Ladele, has appealed for funding support from the Federal Government and corporate bodies to ensure the successful hosting of the African qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

With barely seven days to the commencement of the qualifiers, he said that the federation is currently at a 45 per cent readiness level, as funding remains at the centre of the necessary arrangements for a colourful event.

“Everything that we need in terms of the arrangements is in place. We cannot do it alone. We need corporate sponsors and organisations to support us in this movement,” Ladele stressed.

He lamented the negligence of People With Disabilities (PWDs) in contravention of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on inclusion as he highlighted the significance of para-volleyball as a family-oriented team sport.

“So much attention has been given to football in the past. We at the para-volleyball federation are seeking support and help from the government and corporate Nigerians.

Speaking on the readiness of the national teams (men and women) for the qualifiers, Ladele revealed that both teams have been in camp for over a week and are in high spirits. He confidently declared, “I can put my money on it that Nigeria is going to pick up a ticket for the 2024 Paralympic Games.”

Nigeria will host the African qualifiers between January 29 and February 3, 2024, at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Nigeria’s men will compete against Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya in Group A for the Paralympic Games ticket while Zimbabwe will square off against Rwanda, Algeria, and Libya in Group B.

The Nigerian women’s team will compete against Kenya, Rwanda, and