Latifat Tijani, Team Nigeria’s gold medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games has revealed she was at some point filled with thoughts of not returning to Nigeria after the games.
Speaking with the Punch, the award winner divulged the contrast in the manner of treatment of para-athletes in Nigeria and in Japan.
The thought was premised on the level of hospitable treatment, organisational structure and the nature of the Japanese people at the Global games.
Latifah recorded gold in the 106kg, bettering her silver medal at the 2016 edition in Rio.
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She also won bronze in the women’s 45kg event at the 2019 World Para-Powerlifting Championships.
“I go through a lot of challenges on a daily basis and getting to the stadium for training wasn’t always easy. Though efforts were made by me and the Ogun State Sports Commission, they were not enough because I am the breadwinner of my home and what I earn cant really take care of us.” She said
“But I’m very determined to ensure that I succeed and that’s why I am not relenting in my efforts and I will continue to make my people and Nigeria proud. ”
“But the treatment given to us by the Japanese government at the Paralympics in Tokyo was massive and to be honest I never wanted to come back home.” She concluded.
