Determined to empower people living with disability through sports, Bedex Development Foundation has held its maiden edition of Para-soccer Tournament in Abuja with host Team Abuja emerging champions.
Team Abuja defeated Team Katsina 2-0 in the final to win the tournament held at the Old Parade Ground Area 10 Sports Complex and smiled home with a cash prize of N150,000 while the runners up left with N100,000.
Speaking at the tournament, the chief executive officer of the foundation, Mr Bede Okafor, noted that the theme of the project,’Ability In Disability Through Sport’ aptly describes the position of founders of the tournament which is to make light the burden of the disabled person in the society through inclusive programs that will make them feel they are part of the community around them.
“ My work is primarily to impact society, especially the less privileged. I have been to some communities like Karmajiji here in Abuja where I have donated wheelchairs, clutches and walking aids for the blind as well as food items, basic needs to keep them going,” Okafor disclosed.
He said the tournament was aimed at discovering talents that will represent the country at the Paralympics’ football event.
Mr Okafor also revealed plans on how to help train them in skill acquisition to be self-reliant, saying the tournament will be a quarterly event that will help change the lives of the disabled nationally and internationally and called on the Para-soccer Federation of Nigeria to partner with the foundation on further projects.