The President of Nigeria Para-Soccer Federation, Misbahu Didi, on Sunday in Abuja announced the choice of Katsina state as hosts of the third edition of the National Para-Soccer League.
Didi made the announcement during the closing ceremony of the First National Para-Soccer Open Championship at the Package B of the National Stadium.
The maiden edition of the Nations Para-Soccer Open Championship which started on Friday ended on Sunday.
Didi said the essence of the Open Championship was to encourage athletes to put more efforts into the sport.
“We want to empower them in the game and take them away from the streets, away from begging, because most of them are bread winners of their families. But when they play the sport, they receive salary from their different state governments.
“It is also a medium to eradicate poverty to a certain level. At the Federation level we are working hard to take our competitions to the international level,” he said.
He appreciated the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, for supporting the federation.
“Para-soccer is growing with the help of the ministry but with the support of private bodies, philanthropists and other lovers of the game, we will grow higher.
“I thank the state governors of all the eight teams at the competition. I also thank the media for their support because without them nobody will know us. I thank God for having a successful event, as we are able to put smiles in the face of many,” he said.
The participating teams are from Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Kwara, Borno, Bayelsa, FCT and Lagos.(NAN)
