By Femi Atolagbe

Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Juliana Adebunmi Osadahun has urged parents to stop hiding their children with disability by enrolling them in school, saying there is ability, capability in disability.

Osadahun stated this at the unveiling of blind soccer in Ondo State as part of programs scheduled to celebrate the international white-cane day.

She said: “Blind football game is novel in the state, it looked impossible but Ondo State government made it possible by providing facility for the football game among the visually impaired”.

“We are showing to the world that there is ability, capability in disability, these people are part of the society, so they need to be celebrated like others.”

“The current Government is glad to identify with the people with disability, we are calling on parents that have children with disability not to hide them.”

Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Bamidele Ologun in a chat with newsmen commend the participating teams for their creativity in displaying their talents.

Ologun represented by his Special Assistant on Sports, Tugbiyele Lanre added that despite their disability they could still play together as a team.

He encouraged the players to continue in the spirit, saying sky is their starting point.

According to him, “lots of players here today have the potential to represent the state and the country in the national and international competitions”.

“The government will look into their demands, God’s willing, next year will be better,he said.”

The board chairman of the Ondo State Agency for the persons with disability, Arise Folashade thanked the government for identifying with them.

She affirmed that government will attend to all their demands, by getting them better equipment to make their game more interesting.

She adds: “By next year our players will play with other states’ teams, so that they will be more exposed in the game, I’m very happy today seeing my people playing good football like others.”

 “I’m reiterating the calls for parents to enroll their children with any kind of disability in school.”

Meanwhile, Team Ondo defeated Glorious team 3-1 in the novelty match played at the state sports complex, Akure.

Both sides played a goaless draw in the regulation time before team Ondo got a better side of the opponent in the penalty shootouts.

 The chairman, Association for the blind in Ondo State, Akilo Ojo Matthew expressed satisfaction with the participating teams.

He said “we have shown to the world that we have potential to make things happen like others.”

The captain of team Ondo , Kareem Babatunde revealed that they have established a blind team for Ondo State ,team which he said will represent the state in the South West blind game next year.

While thanking the state government for identifying with them, he appealed to government at all levels , including corporate bodies and individuals to help them with equipment which include; balls , Jersey and soccer boot.