Abuja: Frank Harrison, founder of Boccia Nigeria, has called on Nigerians and corporate organisations to partner in establishing a community centre for athletes living with cerebral palsy and other physical challenges. Harrison made the appeal during the celebration of the fifth anniversary of Boccia sports development in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Boccia is a precision indoor target ball sport designed specifically for athletes with severe physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy. The proposed centre aims to provide accommodation, training facilities, and support services for athletes participating in the sport.
“We are celebrating our anniversary today and we want to call on Nigerians to come and partner with us,” Harrison said. “We are working on a community centre for cerebral palsy and other physically challenged athletes. The sport itself has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1984 and is designed mainly for athletes with severe physical disabilities, especially cerebral pa
lsy. That is why we are developing the sport in Nigeria for cerebral palsy and other physically challenged athletes as well.”
The founder emphasized the necessity of the community centre, stating that cerebral palsy athletes require special care and support. “We must have a community centre for Boccia because cerebral palsy athletes will not be stressed as compared to other physically challenged athletes. The facility would include residential apartments, a training hall, and a gymnasium, while each cerebral palsy athlete would also require assistants for support,” he explained.
Harrison also noted the sport’s gradual acceptance in Nigeria, highlighting that three states have already embraced it. Lagos State recorded a large turnout when the sport was introduced in February, while Abia hosted an introductory programme in March through the support of the state sports council. Furthermore, the sport has been recognized as a member of the Nigeria Paralympic Committee, with optimistic prospects for athletes to
feature in numerous national competitions in the future.