Some sports fans in Lagos on Tuesday applauded Team Nigeria’s outing at the just-concluded Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

Team Nigeria won seven medals comprising two gold medals, three silvers and two bronze medals.

Nigeria placed 40th overall in the competition coming fourth behind Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco in the Africa’s medals table.

Some of the sports fans, in separate interviews on Monday in Lagos said that the team put up a good showing, noting it could have done better.

The Vice President, Softball and Baseball Association, Robert Onwukwe, commended the team’s performance.

According to him, athletes go through a lot to put themselves together to put up a great performance.

He said over the years, preparations for major tournaments had been poor.

Mr Onwukwe said lack of sponsorship for athletes was also attributable to poor outings in competitions.

He said, “Most of what our athletes achieve in major tournaments are out of their self-driven determination and desire to put the nations first at all times. They should be celebrated for their achievements because they go through a lot just to put themselves together to achieve their set objectives. It’s a big work that we need to do as country to support our athletes to achieve and win laurels for our dear nation.’’

Head Coach, Borno State Boxing Association, Abayomi Oyeleye, also commended the team’s outing.

He said from the number of medals, the paralympics team did what the able athletes could not do.

Mr Oyeleye said that since the inception of the Paralympic Games in Barcelona 1992, Nigerian representatives had always returned home with medals to show for their efforts.

“I am very happy for Team Nigeria. They have once again raised the national flag high amidst many nationals that participated in the Games. They have done very well and worked hard for their laurels. Indeed they should be compensated for once again winning medals at the Paralympic Games,” Mr Oyeleye said.

Another sports fan Prince Azubike said that he did not expect anything less from the special athletes.

“They’ve always proven to need less even though they deserve more. It’s now a total of 87 medals in nine outings, with a whopping 42 gold, and even some record breaking move by Folashade Oluwafemiayo in the powerlifting event.

“For me, I’ll ask that all of the medalists be given a national honour, because achieving this feat in this economic situation is beyond the normal. My heart blesses them for putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians,” Mr Azubike said.

(NAN)