The opening ceremony of the third National Para Games held on Saturday in Abuja.

Top dignitaries, including Presidential Spokesperson and former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, joined the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to flag off the event.

NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, alongside the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, led proceedings at the opening ceremony, which will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The third National Para Games, which began March 26, will be on till April 3, 2026, is Nigeria’s flagship para-sport event, bringing together over 3,000 athletes from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Competitors are participating across 15 different sports, making it one of the largest gatherings of para-athletes in the nation’s history.

The Games will feature a wide range of disciplines including para athletics, wheelchair basketball, para swimming, amputee football, sitting volleyball, para powerlifting, and wheelchair tennis, among others, demonstrating Nigeria’s growing commitment to inclusivity and the development of para sports nationwide.

Organised by the National Sports Commission, the event has continued to evolve as a critical platform for talent discovery, national unity, and preparation of athletes for international competitions such as the Paralympic Games, African championships, Commonwealth Games amongst others.

Beyond competition, the Games serve as a powerful symbol of resilience, showcasing the extraordinary abilities of athletes living with disabilities while promoting equal opportunity and social inclusion across the country. The presence of high-profile dignitaries at the opening ceremony reflects the Federal Government’s strong commitment to advancing para sports and empowering athletes to achieve excellence on both national and global stages.