By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Ruel Ishaku, who won the male Athletes Representative position in an election into the Nigeria Paralympics Committee (NPC) on Thursday in Lagos, has promised adequate representation of para athletes.
Ishaku of para power-lifting defeated Tajudeen Agunbiade of para table tennis 27-25 in the election conducted at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Ishaku said that he knew that para athletes believed in him and that was why they elected him to speak for them at the committee.
“It was indeed a tough election, but I am glad that I won with two votes and will commit my best to ensure proper representation of para athletes.
“It is confirmed that I am going to be the mouth piece of para athletes in the NPC which is as a result of the confidence that they have in my ability,” he said.
He added that he would run an open office to give room for athletes to inform him of their various needs in various which he would communicate to the NPC for necessary action.
The 2008 Team Nigeria Captain to the Beijing Paralympic Games added that he would need the cooperation of para athletes across the country to live up to expectations.
“I am moved to go for this position because of the challenges we are encountering in the para division which needs adequate attention from the authorities.
“I will like my fellow para athletes to assist me because it is only with their cooperation that I can be successful in my tenure and we will all be happy,” Ishaku who won gold medal in the -48kg at the Games said.
Meanwhile, Frank Thorpe, Secretary of NPC who presided over the election, said that the male athletes representative category went well, while the female was inconclusive.
Thorpe said that 52 athletes from various para sports participated in the election which ended 27-25 in favour of Ishaku, who emerged winner as male athletes representative of para-athletes.
According to him, the female category was cancelled because the number of votes cast was 53 against 52 athletes that took part in the election.
“The male election was okay, because after counting the votes, we declared the winner and it was accepted by all but there was irregularity in the female category.
“We observed that somebody voted twice which exceeded the number of voters by one point and it raised argument which resulted to the cancellation,” he explained.
He added that the NPC would look into the issues in the female category election, stressing that it was part of the constitution to have a representative each for male and female. (NAN)
