Taiwo Kasunmu claims that some athletes often stop training due to the low number of competitions organised by the PFN.

But he doesn't believe they should use that as justification with the Paralympic Games, scheduled to take place from September 7 to 18, less than 10 months away. 

"Concerning the 2016 Paralympics, my advice to athletes is first, the glory is yours before the country," he told the News Agency of Nigeria.  

"Every athlete needs to train regularly; you cannot afford to stop training.

"If you go to sleep for one week, two weeks, others will double-cross you because they trained regularly.

"Athletes should not give excuses because the federation is not organising competitions and have to go to sleep.

"They need to strive on their own."

Nigeria won a total of 13 medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, comprising six golds, five silvers and two bronzes.

The golds all came in powerlifting with Yakubu Adesokan the sole male champion in the under 48kg event.

Loveline Obiji took top honours in the women's under 82.5 kilogram category, while Ivory Nwokorie won the under 44kg class, Esther Oyema the under 48kg, Joy Onaolapo the under 52kg and Grace Anozie the over 82.5kg.

Kasunmu also encouraged athletes to shun drugs, suggesting they should learn from the ongoing doping scandal in Russia. 

"This is a very serious issue at the international scene," he added.  

"The issue of doping is a disgrace not only to the athletes, but the country involved and the international body."



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