Para-athletes in Bayelsa State took centre stage as Miss World Nigeria, Queen Tamunosoye Karibi-George, hosted a special sports festival to promote inclusion and empower people living with disabilities.
The one-day event, organised through her Beyond Labels Initiative in partnership with The Atlantic House Institute, was held at the Ayama Ijaw Sports Centre in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area under the theme, “Sports for All: Community Outreach on Disability Inclusion.”
The festival provided an opportunity for para-athletes to showcase their sporting abilities, connect with their community and celebrate their achievements in an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement.
Speaking at the event, Queen Karibi-George reaffirmed the commitment of the Beyond Labels Initiative to creating a society where persons living with disabilities have access to dignity, equal opportunities and meaningful participation.
She explained that the initiative was established to challenge negative stereotypes surrounding disability, promote acceptance, amplify often-overlooked voices and open pathways for empowerment through advocacy, education, partnerships and grassroots engagement.
Karibi-George emphasised that disability should never be regarded as a limitation or the defining feature of anyone’s identity.
Describing persons living with disabilities as “diamonds in the rock,” she said their talents, resilience and potential deserve to be recognised, supported and given platforms to flourish.
The sports festival, she added, represents part of a broader effort to build more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to participate, compete and contribute regardless of physical ability.