NSF exclusion: Deaf sports stakeholders set for protest today

Deaf sports stakeholders in Lagos State will stage a peaceful protest at the National Stadium, Surulere, on Monday (today) to oppose the exclusion of deaf sports from the National Sports Festival in Enugu, despite the inclusion of para sports, The PUNCH reports.

The athletes and officials say the decision amounts to discrimination, and they hope that their voices reach the federal government. They argue that deaf and para-athletes both live with disabilities, so there is no reason to treat them differently.

The festival, tagged the Coal City Games, will be held in Enugu from November 27 to December 11, 2026.

Separately, the Nigeria Deaf Football Association has announced a peaceful protest in Abuja from October 19 to 22, directed at the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly Complex. It says the Nigeria Deaf Eagles are still owed allowances and bonuses from the 2023 World Deaf Football Championship in Malaysia, and that debts to the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf for registration, accommodation and feeding remain unpaid.

The President of the Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation, Alhaji Suleiman Dagbo, said the National Council on Sports approved the inclusion of not more than three Deaf Sports as compulsory events at a meeting in Enugu on May 22, 2024, and that the rule was written into the festival’s general rules. At the 2024 Gateway Games in Abeokuta, Athletics, Badminton and Table Tennis were selected, and 124 Deaf athletes from 22 states won 100 medals, made up of 28 gold, 28 silver and 42 bronze.

“Para Sports are already merged with able-bodied events under the current 27 compulsory sports, yet they remain separate federations. Excluding Deaf Sports, a federation with over 10 years of advocacy and proven participation, while including newer Para disciplines, creates an imbalance,” Dagbo said.

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He said the decision was reversed at an extraordinary council meeting in Abeokuta in April 2025 without consulting the federation, and that the NSC had not replied to its letters. He estimated that over 300 Deaf athletes nationwide are affected.

Former national deaf athletics champion Badmus Nurudeen said the athletes only wanted a fair chance.

“We are asking for equal treatment and equal opportunity. Give us the opportunity to compete, and let our performance on the field and table speak for us. Deaf athletes are Nigerians too.”

Coach Emmanuel Audu, a technical representative on the federation’s board, said the uncertainty had hurt preparations.

“Uncertainty kills training. When a sport is moved from compulsory to optional without consultation, coaches cannot plan, states cannot budget, and athletes ask, ‘Why train if there is no platform?’”

Segun Oyedeji, Secretary of the Oyo State Deaf Sports, also cited the 2018 Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act. He questioned how Para Athletics can be merged with able-bodied athletics while Deaf athletics is left out. He warned of a nationwide boycott if the decision is not reversed.