Why special athletes are not recognized

In this exclusive interview Completesports.comAfrican table tennis champion Ahmed Koleosho revealed in the unveiling of Lagos ’talent games why special athletes are always on the sidelines, even though they bring glory and glory to Nigeria.

He also shared his plans for the future when he finally retires from table tennis.

Your thoughts on announcing Lagos games of chance?

I am very pleased that there is finally an event specifically for people with disabilities. This is more than a mini-Paralympic event for special athletes in the state of Lagos. And once again, the state of Lagos has shown that they are the regulators of the pace of Nigeria. I would like to thank LASODA very much for this initiative and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of the State of Lagos, for always supporting not only special sports but also sports in Lagos in general. So I want to say a very big thank you, this means a lot to the development of sports and specialty sports in the state of Lagos. I am sure that after several years it will be a general development of sport in Nigeria.

Where will you see the Lagos Ability Games in a few years?

In the next few years, it will be a national competition for specialty athletes. It leads to the development of the sport and also to the discovery of new talents because it takes some time for someone like me to be recognized. But it will not be long on this path before young talent is discovered and encouraged. So I think this is a very good initiative.

When it comes to special athletes who are not recognized despite performing at international events, why do you always think that is the case?

It’s just a society we find, consciousness doesn’t exist and that stigma. But it’s getting better and it’s much better, especially in the state of Lagos. The government has always done its best to make life easier for people with disabilities. Like I said, it took a while, but things are getting better. This is part of an initiative that the state of Lagos has always taken to improve the lives of people with disabilities, not just sports, but education and other aspects.

So it’s just basically the awareness and stigma that caused it, but like I said, it’s getting a lot better now.

Let’s take a look at your trip to table tennis, when did you start the sport and what are your accomplishments?

I started as a professional in 2012, and since then I have won a lot of bearings for the state and country of Lagos. I have won a gold medal in the African Championship, in several world competitions. I have been to the Paralympics twice. As well as I represent the athletes in the state of Lagos, not just special athletes, but all athletes. So far so good, these are just small achievements.

What are your plans for the future, especially when you quit the sport?

In the coming years, I want to start doing things that would help people with disabilities in society. I would also like to be involved in things that would help me find new talent.

Over time, we need to look at how we have impacted the lives of other and future young talents. So over the next couple of years, I would do what I can to do, compete and also try to see how I can start something related to talent development.

And when you look at the financial side as a special athlete, would you say you’ve done well for yourself?

It can always be much better, we just do it and that’s why we also involve the private sector, because we specialty athletes are very marketable. There is nothing wrong with using a skilled athlete like me as recommended compared to my abilities as an athlete. They should look at specialty athletes as a brand that would also help and encourage specialty athletes.

Author: James Agberebi

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