The 2024 edition of Lagos Blind Sports Fiesta commenced at the Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
About 92 participants are taking part in the five-day fiesta organised to reawaken the hope of participants, preparing visually impaired athletes for the subsequent competitions and promoting a sense of belonging.
Blind Powerlifting, Judo, Goalball, and Ayo Olopon are sports featured for this year’s event as part of the mandate of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to promote inclusivity and showcase people living with disabilities in different sporting areas.
Blind Powerlifting took centre stage on Day One, as 12 male athletes participated in three events: squat, bench, and deadlift in five different categories: 67Kg, 75Kg, 82Kg, 90Kg and 102Kg.
In 67kg, Oladele Sunday took the 1st position with 385 kg. Samuel Ige came 2nd with 345 kg while Omishola Abiodun came 3rd with 280 kg in all events. In 75 kg, Oko Dennis came 1st with 385 kg while Tope Orimolade came 2nd with 370 kg in all events. In 82 kg, Ojemen Cyril came 1st with 420 kg. Tijani Taofeeq came 2nd with 360 kg while Adeola Akande came 3rd with 290 kg. In 90 kg, Ajibade Sodiq came 1st with 480 kg while Adeyemi Adeseye came 2nd with 400 kg in all events. While in 102 kg, Eze Samuel came 1st with 385 kg while Emmanuel Okoawo came 2nd with 230 kg in all events.
Adeyemi Adeseye, who participated in all three events, said the fiesta is another opportunity for him to improve the level of his performance in blind sports. He thanked the Lagos State government for the opportunity created for the visually impaired athletes to move forward in the world of blind sports.
One of the athletes, Sunday Oladele, was full of praise for the organisers for being able to participate in the competitions, adding fiesta will contribute to his desire to improve as an athlete and achieve his set goals in sports.
He commended the Lagos State government for the recognition and privilege given to them to participate in the competition.
The Blind Sports Fiesta continued on Tuesday with Judo, while Ayo Olopon and Goalball commence on Wednesday.
