The 3rd edition of the National Para Sports Festival Opens today in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, with defending champions Bayelsa State aiming to secure a third consecutive title at the competition.
The festival, which runs from 26th March to 3rd April 2026, with its official opening ceremony scheduled for today 28th March, has drawn athletes with disabilities from across the country to compete in events such as athletics, wheelchair basketball, para powerlifting, and amputee football.
Organised by the National Sports Commission (NSC), the event is designed to promote inclusivity and serve as a platform for talent discovery and preparation for international competitions.
Ahead of the games, Bayelsa State’s Director of Sports and head of delegation, Andrew Aye, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to defend their crown, having won the first two editions.
“You have done it before, and you can do it again,” Aye told the athletes, urging them to “carry the spirit of champions” into the competition.
The Bayelsa contingent, comprising about 430 members including athletes and officials, arrived in Abuja with high expectations and strong preparations.
Aye noted that the team has been fully supported and equipped, adding that their past performances have placed the state “on the map as a leading force in para sports in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, NSC officials say the festival is more than a competition.
Director-General Bukola Olopade described it as a platform for “celebrating courage, breaking barriers, and inspiring a new generation of athletes.”
As events get underway, attention will be on whether Bayelsa can extend its dominance or if another state will emerge to challenge its growing legacy in para sports.
