Nigeria has officially attained full membership status
in the World Wheelchair Rugby Federation (WWRF), a major milestone in the
nation’s drive to expand opportunities for para sports.
This achievement was confirmed in a letter dated
December 4, 2024, signed by Alison Bridge, Head of Administration for the WWRF.
The letter revealed that Nigeria’s provisional membership, granted on July 9,
2024, will be formally ratified at the federation’s upcoming General Assembly.
Speaking on the development, Fred Edoreh, Secretary of
the Nigeria Wheelchair Rugby Association, applauded the tireless efforts of the
association’s president, Suleiman Isah, and the board in meeting the stringent
requirements for membership.
“Finally and happily, Nigeria has been granted full
membership of the World Wheelchair Rugby Federation. It has been a long
journey, and we must commend the President of Nigeria Wheelchair Rugby,
Suleiman Isah, for his dedication to achieving this goal,” Edoreh said.
He highlighted Isah’s commitment as the Secretary
General of the Nigeria Paralympic Committee to enhancing the profile of
Nigerian para athletes on the global stage.
“During his tenure as President of the Nigeria Amputee
Football Federation, Isah led the team to their first-ever Amputee Football
World Cup in 2018, overcoming years of funding challenges. Under his
leadership, the team also achieved a second-place finish at the 2019 Africa
Amputee Football Nations Cup in Angola and participated in the 2021 edition in
Tanzania,” Edoreh noted.
“This accomplishment in wheelchair rugby underscores
his vision to create more international platforms for persons living with
disabilities in Nigeria. The sky is now the limit for para sports in the
country.”
The full membership status is expected to unlock new
opportunities for Nigerian wheelchair rugby athletes, enabling them to compete
in top-tier international events.
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