Paralympics Committee Sets Target

5 Gold Medals at 2010 Commonwealth Games: Paralympics Committee Sets Target

The Nigeria Paralympics Committee (NPC), in addition to re-positioning Para-Sports in Nigeria, has set a 5-gold medals target for itself at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and has therefore began early preparations towards achieving the feat.

Secretary of the Special Sports Federation, Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye disclosed to Saturday Vanguard Sports that the NPC recently “organized a high level combined Seminar for its Administrative Secretaries and Coaches to build their capacity in ensuring the effective delivery of Para-Sports programme.”

Dr. Ebhojiaye said that the four-day combined Seminar which took place at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State from May 26 to 29,and was well attended by the target participants, had 19 resource persons delivering professional papers in the core areas of Anti-doping and Sports injuries, Sports Law, Psychology, Classification, Coaching, Administration among others;

At the end of the seminar, a 10-point communiqué was issued by the NPC which believes that the country could use Paralympics Sports for the physically challenged persons to rehabilitate and eradicate street begging, as well as, re-brand the nation positively.

It also added that motivation and reward for Para-Sportsmen and women as well as their Coaches is a sine qua non to the development of Para-sports in the country, stressing that there should be a systematic planning of programme and regular national and international competitions to keep Paralympics athletes in shape all year round.

It was also suggested that adequate legislation at all levels aimed at eliminating discrimination; stigmatization and inequalities in opportunities should be put in place to

Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Medal Events Programme Released

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has officially released the Para-Sports Medal Events Programme for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games following consultation with the International Paralympic Committee. The Commonwealth Games will take place from 3-14 October 2010 in Delhi, India, and will showcase world-class sporting opportunities for elite athletes with a disability.

The 15 Para-Sports medal events to be included on the Delhi 2010 programme are as follows:

Athletics Events

• Men’s Shot Put - F32/34/52
• Men’s 100m - T46
• Men’s 1500m - T54
• Women’s Shot Put - F32-34/52/53
• Women’s 100m - T37
• Women’s 1500m - T54

Swimming Events

• Men’s 50m Freestyle - S9
• Men’s 100m Freestyle - S8
• Men’s 100m Freestyle - S10
• Women’s 50m Freestyle - S9
• Women’s 100m Freestyle - S9
• Women’s 100m Butterfly - S9

Power lifting Events

• Men’s Bench Press - Open
• Women’s Bench Press - Open

Table Tennis Events

• Women’s Wheelchair - Open (Classes TT1-5)

Delhi 2010 Organizing Committee Chairman, Suresh Kalmadi said that the inclusion of the Para-Sport Medal Events Programme in the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games will provide the city of Delhi and the country of India an outstanding opportunity to build greater social awareness of Paralympic sports, as well as the elite performances that athletes with a disability are capable of achieving.

"These events will challenge us to develop a more "barrier-free" environment in Delhi, ensuring that all Commonwealth Games athletes fully enjoy their experience, and that the Games will leave a meaningful legacy in this regard," Kalmadi said.

Sir Philip Craven, President of the IPC, said the commitment of the CGF will prove successful in 2010, providing elite sporting opportunities for athletes with a disability from all over the Commonwealth.

“As the world was able to see in China, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games brought the Paralympic Movement to new heights,” Sir Philip said. “And I look forward to seeing a positive impact in India during the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games with the global attention that is certain to accompany the event.”

Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said that the relationship shared with the IPC and the Paralympic Movement is a priority for the CGF.

“The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Para-Sport Medal events programme will undoubtedly continue to be a valued added and distinct component to our Games, providing great opportunities, for elite athletes with a disability, while further promoting the positive impact of the Paralympic Movement and the relationship shared between the CGF and the IPC” Fennell said.

The Co-operative Agreement between the IPC and CGF, which was signed in November 2007, under the banner of "Partners Uniting the Commonwealth Through Sport”, is the foundation for the institutional and Games related relationship the two organizations share.

The Commonwealth Games are held every four years and involve the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. The multi-national and multi-sport event has been previously held in Melbourne in 2006 and Manchester in 2002.

International Paralympic Committee

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organization that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games. Underlying every decision made by the CGF are three core values: humanity, equality and destiny. These values help to inspire and unite millions of people and symbolize the broad mandate of the CGF within the Commonwealth.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 161 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

For further information, visit the official website of IPC at www.paralympic.org