Dan-de Van Paralympics Rocks Accra   

A keenly-contested paralympic festival rocked the Accra Stadium and its environs on Sunday in conjunction with the National Paralympic Festival.

A little over 40 para-athletes competed in four different events; starting with hand cycling from the Osu Stands of the Accra Stadium through the Ministries and back to the starting point.

Others participated in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair racing and wheelchair tennis which ignited intense fireworks.

Riding on the theme, 'Celebrating our para sports athletes and inspiring a new generation,' Dan Nii Mensah, chairman of Dan De Van, organizer of the event, said, 'Para sports awareness is dead in Ghana.'

He added that 'it is high time we created awareness for para sports in the country. They have been rejected for far too long, and that makes them inferior, which shouldn't be the case.

'It is the reason we're putting this together. I believe it will, to a large extent, help their psyche. All those competing in today's event will have the luxury of international exposure.

'They will make a representation for Ghana in a forthcoming competition scheduled for South Africa next year. We are using this platform to celebrate our para athletes who have achieved so much in the past.'

Athletes who excelled in their respective events took home very attractive prizes.

Meanwhile, Nii Mensah announced that he will launch the Dan De Van Group of Companies (Shipping, International Trade, Heavy Lifting and Containers) this Thursday, which coincides with the World Disability Day celebrations.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum