Globacom boosts three Paralympians ahead of 2019 Special Olympics

Telecommunications outfit, Globacom yesterday boosted Nigeria’s participation at the Special Olympic World Summer Games with cash donations to three of the athletes scheduled to feature in the games billed for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from March 14 to 21, 2019.

At a brief presentation at its Mike Adenuga Towers head office in Lagos, Globacom presented cheques to three beneficiaries, including Miss Tejumola Ogunlela (aquatics), Chima Maduakor (Track and field) and Oyinkansola Givens Joseph (Badminton).

Nigeria will join other 171 countries to compete for medals in track and field events featuring athletes with intellectual disabilities, among them being those with Autism, Down’s syndrome and several forms of learning disorders.

According to the company, the donation will cover the cost of training and travel for the individual athletes. Globacom’s Executive Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Gladys Talabi said the donation was not the first time the company would support the Nigerian contingent to the Special Olympics, saying that in 2011 it sponsored the Nigerian contingent, who returned from Athens in Greece with a total of 27 medals made of nine gold, nine silver and nine bronze medals.

“The company is sponsoring this year’s participation because it believes in the goals of the games, which include, among other things, to improve lives of the special children, helping them to reach their full potential, and to create greater social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities,” Mrs. Talabi said.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian contingent to the Special Olympics, Mr. Adeola Oladugba thanked Globacom for the support and promised that the team would make Globacom and other Nigerians proud.  

Father of one of the athletes, Mr. Bola Ogunlela on behalf of all the parents enthused that Globacom has contributed to the happiness of the special children