Kudirat Imam-Fulani, a gold medallist in para-table tennis at the ongoing 21st National Sports Festival (NSF) in Delta, on Saturday, said auto-crash led her into para-sports.

Imam-Fulani said in an interview in Asaba that when she thought it was over, the sport rescued her from a neck-deep depression.

The athlete, who won the first gold for Team Kwara at Delta 2022, said she had no regret since she had been involved in the sporting activities.

“I started para-table tennis in 2006 and since then, I have been winning gold medal for the state.

“I was at home when my coach came to pick me that I should not kill myself with depression. He said I could still engage in more meaningful things; that I should not lose hope.

“This has really been helping and I am now good for it. There is hardly any competition I go for that I do not win medal.

“I am even preparing to go for ValueJet (para-table tennis open) in Lagos, which will hold between Dec. 13 and 17,” she said.

The gold medallist, who is in her late 30s, said she was involved in a fatal motor accident which crippled her leg.

“I look forward to be wealthy in this sport; to build house, buy cars and take care of my parents from it.

“Since I started the game, I am always happy, so depression has no place in my mind again.

“In fact, if I do not go for training, I would not be happy, except I go to see my colleagues even if in the end, I did not train,” said the para-athlete.

The NSF gold medallist advised whoever had children with disabilities at home to bring them out, and allow them to engage in sports.

“They should not lose hope in them that they cannot become successful in life. Rather, they should encourage them and allow them to participate in sports.

“We make ourselves happy through sporting and my family is happy too anytime they see me,” she said.

(NAN)