NGO announces tournament for International Day of Persons with Disabilities

FAME Foundation has unveiled plans for the 2025 HerSTEM Inclusive Tournament, a national sporting event aimed at celebrating and empowering girls and women with disabilities. The tournament is slated to hold on December 3 as part of activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Executive Director of the organisation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, said […]

FAME Foundation has unveiled plans for the 2025 HerSTEM Inclusive Tournament, a national sporting event aimed at celebrating and empowering girls and women with disabilities.

The tournament is slated to hold on December 3 as part of activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Executive Director of the organisation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, said the initiative is designed to promote a more inclusive Nigeria and reinforce the global 2025 theme, which calls for societies that create opportunities for individuals of all abilities to thrive.

Atoyebi noted that Nigeria’s development is linked to how effectively it includes its diverse population, adding that many girls and women with disabilities still face significant obstacles in education, employment, and sports participation.

“Sports have a unique power to unite people. When individuals are excluded from sporting spaces, they are denied visibility, leadership opportunities, confidence, and the chance to showcase their potential,” she said.

The tournament, which will take place at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, will feature multiple events, including 100m finals for visually impaired athletes, athletes with cerebral palsy, and deaf athletes. Other competitions include discus throw for amputees and polio survivors, as well as shot put for amputees and Lexul athletes. Atoyebi encouraged Nigerians to attend the event and support the athletes.

She also called on government institutions, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and the media to increase investments in parasports, accessible sporting infrastructure, and platforms that highlight the abilities of persons with disabilities.

As preparations advance, Atoyebi expressed support for the athletes expected to participate, describing their resilience as a source of inspiration and a driver for broader social change.

FAME Foundation reiterated its commitment to promoting equality, advancing inclusion, and building a society where all individuals, regardless of physical ability, can participate and excel.

The organisation also commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for partnering on the 2025 HerSTEM Inclusive Tournament, acknowledging the agency’s support for inclusive development initiatives.