Nigeria attracts over 230 athletes to Special Olympics

LAGOS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- More than 230 athletes from 26 special schools in Oyo and Osun states in southwest Nigeira attended the two competitions organized by the Special Olympics Nigeria, local media reported Thursday.

The National Director of Special Olympics Nigeria, Folashade Bolumole, said in a statement that the competitions held at the Federal Science and Technical College, Ilesha, Osun State and the University of Ibadan Sports Center, Ibadan, last week.

The athletes participated in five-aside soccer, 100m-walk and table tennis.

Bolumole said the events were in line with the body's mission to empower individuals with intellectual challenges and provide competition opportunities for these special people.

According to her, aside from providing opportunities for the athletes, Special Olympics is also interested in their overall health. This is achieved through the Healthy Athletes Initiative.

More competitions in the six geo-political zones are being planned for next year to discover new athletes while maintaining the fitness level of the existing ones.