A visually impaired lady, Grace Adenike Adedeji has disclosed that she is ready to play goalball for Nigeria at the Olympic Games.
Adedeji disclosed this in an exclusive chat with sports247.ng after helping her side to victory at the ongoing 4th Blind Sports Fiesta being organised by Lagos State Sports Council.
Ahead of Friday’s closing ceremony, the competition hit a frenzy in Molade Okoya Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium on Thursday, as players took to the indoor courts with their ball rolling skills.
Goalball is a major event at the Paralympics, which involves three players on either side of a small court rolling across the floor a ball that has bells attached to it.
The idea is to get as many balls into the opposing net within a total of 24 minutes.
The games last 12 minutes for each half, with the side whose players are able to roll most balls into the opponents’ net declared the winner after the final whistle.
Adedeji said after helping her side to victory, “This game is very interesting. It is another way of showing that there is ability in disability.
“It shows that we, the blind, can also do more than able bodied people can do. So, don’t neglect us, don’t keep us at home, don’t say we are nothing.”
She then headed praises on Lagos State Sports Commission for supporting disabled talents to express themselves and further urged the officials not to relent in their efforts.
She reckoned that continued total support given the players could see them represent Nigeria in goalball at the Olympic Games, considering that it is a very exciting sport.
“Nowadays, Lagos State has helped us know that we are somebody to be counted. This game is also very interesting.
“If you can move closer to us in the stadium, you will know that something is happening that is great.
“By God’s grace, we can even play this game at the Olympics,” Adedeji enthused.
She concluded with some words about her personal targets in goalball as well as the continuous support that visually challenged people like her need in order to move ahead in life.
“I want God to make me go high more than this, and Lagos State government should not forget us in any area or place.
“In any chance, Lagos State should remember to cater for we the blind talented ones,” Adedeji reiterated.
