The Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation has denied allegations of blackmail against the National Sports Commission regarding its exclusion from the upcoming National Sports Festival in Enugu State. The festival, scheduled to take place from November 27 to December 11, has sparked controversy after the Deaf Sports Federation was left out. In response to the allegations, the federation's President, Dagbo Suleiman Saka, released a statement on behalf of its board and athletes, emphasizing that they have legitimate concerns and facts to support their case.
The National Sports Commission had defended its decision, citing an Olympic-style model that requires federations to demonstrate consistent competitive activity in states before qualifying for major events. Michael Obasi, Special Assistant on Media to the Commission's Director General, Bukola Olopade, stated that funding constraints also led to a reduction in the number of sports included. However, the Deaf Sports Federation disputes this, arguing that it has organized several national and international events, including the National Deaf Table Tennis Championships and the West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship.
The federation also accused the National Sports Commission of providing conflicting reasons for its exclusion. According to the Commission's Director General, sports were initially pruned to follow international best practices and cut costs, but now cites inactivity as the reason. The federation attributes its perceived inactivity to a lack of funding, stating that it has not received its annual budget from the Commission, hindering its ability to organize programs.
The exclusion of Deaf Sports from the National Sports Festival has significant implications, particularly given Nigeria's history with Deaf sports. The country missed the Tokyo Deaflympics last year due to a suspension by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf over unpaid debts. The federation is questioning what happened to the Deaflympics budget and demanding the immediate reinstatement of Deaf Sports as a compulsory sport for the festival.
The Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation claims that it has exhausted all avenues of engagement with the National Sports Commission. Proposals for the fourth National Deaf Games, a Deaf sports manual, and a plan to honor retired Deaf athletes were allegedly ignored. The federation's President, Dagbo Suleiman Saka, reported waiting for hours at the Director General's office without being received.
The exclusion of Deaf Sports has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, including the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities. These groups argue that the exclusion sends a negative signal about Nigeria's commitment to equal opportunity, inclusion, and human rights in the international sports community.
The dispute between the Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation and the National Sports Commission continues, with the federation demanding a reversal of the exclusion decision. The Commission's Director General, Bukola Olopade, remains committed to hosting the National Sports Festival as scheduled, with key facilities nearing completion in Enugu.
Key points
- The Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation disputes the National Sports Commission's allegations of blackmail.
- The federation cites a lack of funding as the reason for its perceived inactivity.
- The exclusion of Deaf Sports from the National Sports Festival has sparked concerns about Nigeria's commitment to equal opportunity and inclusion.
