Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has described the nation’s para athletes as the ‘unseen giants,’ who have continued to win laurels for the country despite limited recognition.

“For too long, our para athletes have been the unseen giants of Nigerian sports, consistently winning medals globally, but often fighting for basic recognition at home.

“Having walked this journey with them from the federation level, I know that what they need is not pity, but parity. We are here to ensure they are seen, heard, and rewarded equally,” he said.

Olopade, a former president of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation and ex-vice president of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (Africa), has been a long-standing advocate for the development of para sports.

He spoke following the conclusion of the Third National Para Games in Abuja.

The Games brought together over 2,500 athletes from across the country competing in 15 sports, highlighting the growing profile of para sports in Nigeria.

In a statement by his media aide, Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu, Olopade said that his current leadership reflects a continuation of that advocacy, with renewed focus on policy reforms aimed at inclusivity.

Some key measures implemented during the Games in Abuja included the prompt payment of athletes’ allowances and the alignment of prize categories with those of able-bodied athletes at national sports festivals.

In addition, the NSC boss contributed about N2.2 million to the prize pool to enhance motivation and improve competition standards.

Some of the athletes, who spoke at the end of the Games, said that Olopade’s active presence at the venues and direct interaction with participants demonstrated an athlete-centred approach to his administration.