Kelechi says she accepted the invitation to represent Akwa Ibom in Shooting Sports after being assured that her participation expenses and medal rewards would be honoured. The Games took place from April 9 to 15, 2022, and despite financial strain, travelling from Lagos to Abuja with her own money, and competing while unwell, she delivered three silver medals.
She says that after the competition she received only a small food token and was asked to return to Lagos with the promise that she would be contacted for her medal payment. Four years later, she says she is still waiting, despite writing several letters and making repeated enquiries.
Kelechi explains that living with a disability in Nigeria already comes with significant challenges, and para athletes should not have to fight for recognition or rewards they earned through hard work. She has written formally to Governor Umo Bassey Eno and later to the Commissioner for Sports, requesting verification of her participation, confirmation of her medals, clarification of the reward structure in 2022 and a determination of whether her entitlement remains outstanding.
She stresses that her appeal is not to blame the current administration, which was not in office in 2022, but to request a fair and official review of her case.
Her request is simple:
Verify the records, confirm her medals and pay what is due.
Persons with disabilities deserve fairness, dignity and recognition for their achievements.
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Kelechi Ruth Uhegwu
Para-Sports Athlete | Disability Advocate | Writer | Public Speaker
Para-Sports Athlete | Disability Advocate | Writer | Public Speaker
Give honor to whom honor is due..Roman 13:7, they should do the needful by paying her every kobo they promised her… wayo government..
ReplyDeleteYou will still from the able bodied and still steal from the physically challenged? Na wa oh!
ReplyDeleteThis is not fair, they should investigate and pay her.
ReplyDelete