Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Victor Ochei has reiterated his commitment to lifting the physically challenged of the society by empowering them through various programmes, particularly sports.

Victor Ochei

The former lawmaker who sponsors an annual international Wheelchair Basketball championship said this while unveiling plans for this year’s edition of the tournament which has been billed to hold between September 19 -24 at the Sir Molade Okoya-Tomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere Lagos.

Meanwhile, the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria has earmarked N5 million as prize money for winners at the tournament.

Disclosing this Thursday at a media parley heralding the championship President of the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, Bukola Olopade informed that 15 states have entered for the event, while Ghana, Benin Republic and Cameroon were being expected. He added that para military teams might be part of this year’s edition .

Olapade expressed the federation’s level of preparedness for the event which would also help put the national U-23 team in competitive mood before the forthcoming U23 World Cup elimination holding in Durban, South Africa between October 1-8.

“Let me use this opportunity to express appreciation to the sponsor Sir Victor Ochei, who after leaving office as Speaker Delta House of Assembly still sponsor the championship. This really shows that he is committed to the Special athletes and the development of the game in the country,”Olapade said.