The federal government, through the sports ministry on Wednesday, responded to a petition received from para-athletes, chiding them for disturbing public peace.

The athletes had protested, in Lagos, the exclusion of their sports from the upcoming National Sports Festival (NSF), carried placards and vowed to “block all federal roads and the National Stadium complex” if the government failed to respond to their demands.

The 2022 NSF, the 21st edition, is scheduled to hold from November 28 to December 10 in Asaba, Delta.

In response to their petition, the government described the protest as unfortunate and advised the athletes to channel their grievances appropriately instead of disturbing public peace.

“The ministry, hereby, urges and advises against any further disruption of public peace and calls on anyone with complaints to channel them through the appropriate authorities and seek the path of dialogue,” the letter said. “Hindering the right of other citizens to free movement is unlawful and unacceptable, especially after the earlier engagements of the ministry’s liaison officer in Lagos and other well-meaning sports personalities.”

The government noted that the sports ministry had always been concerned about para-athletes, outlining efforts to ensure the athletes’ inclusion in its programmes.

“One of them is the setting up of a special department for para sports in the ministry. Another is the organisation of the first National Para Games in April 2022, where 16 para-sports were competed for by teams from 21 states, as well as some clubs, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja,” stated the sports ministry.

(NAN)