Rules and regulations

National Para Games – General Rules and Regulations

INTRODUCTION

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has the proprietary right over the National Para Games (NPG).

The National Para Games is a multi-sports event for athletes with a range of disabilities, including but not limited to: impaired muscle power, impaired range of movement, visual, and intellectual impairment.

Persons with disabilities have the right to participate in sporting and recreational activities at all levels; organizing and participating in sports; receiving the necessary instruction, training and resources; and accessing sporting, recreational and leisure venues. (United Nations).

The NPG is held annually and is open to all Nigerians.

OBJECTIVES

The Objectives of the National Para Games are:

  1. the promotion of keen and healthy competition amongst the competitors under an atmosphere of sportsmanship and friendly interaction with a view to enhancing and strengthening national unity;
  2. the identification of Para athletes that could represent the country at international competitions;
  3. to hold periodic competitions with a view to raising the standard of Para sports in Nigeria thereby enhancing the quality of our participation in major international competitions;
  4. to stimulate interest in Para sports amongst Nigerians, thus improving the general fitness/wellbeing of the citizenry with disabilities;
  5. to use Para sports as a tool for national development;
  6. to promote closer interaction amongst Nigerian Para Sports athletes and enhance their cooperation for better performance;
  7. to uphold and promote the moral values of Para sports;
  8. to provide a platform for Para athletes to compete at a level comparable to major games in the world;
  9. to provide opportunities for states to acquire and upgrade sports facilities; and
  10. the promotion of socio-cultural integration amongst Para athletes and officials.

RULE 1 – HOSTING RIGHTS

  1. The National Para Games (NPG) shall be held annually.
  2. The NPG shall be held before any major national/international Games.
  3. The time of the year at which the NPG is to be held shall be determined by the NSC;
  4. The National Sports Commission shall ensure that no major National Games takes place within the country during the period;
  5. The National Sports Commission may assign the Hosting Rights to any qualified and credible applicant.

RULE 2 – VENUES/FACILITIES

  1. The Organising Committee (OC) shall provide sports facilities of international standard for all sports/events approved for competition at the NPG. Such facilities shall be open for use by athletes competing in the Games, three days before the Games.

RULE 3 – ORGANISING COMMITTEE

  1. There shall be an Organising Committee (OC) constituted by the NSFPS Department.
  2. The NSFPS is at liberty to review the composition of the membership of the OC.

RULE 4 – LIABILITIES

The OC shall be liable for all commitments entered into, including financial responsibilities, concerning the organisation and management of the NPG in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

RULE 5 – GAMES VILLAGE/S

  1. There shall be a Games Village/s which shall serve as accommodation for accredited athletes and officials during the Games.
  2. The OC shall provide the Games Village/s which shall be habitable with adequate facilities/amenities including beds, mattresses, and beddings.
  3. The Games Village/s shall open two (2) days before the Games and close two (2) days after the Closing Ceremony, except otherwise directed by the OC.
  4. The quota of accreditable team officials to be accommodated in the Games Village/s shall be determined by the number of athletes entered by respective State. For the purpose of this Rule, 25% of the total number of athletes registered by a State shall be allowed as team officials.
  5. Any participating State that requires special accommodation must forward a written request to the OC, before the commencement of the Games. The cost of such special accommodation shall be borne by the requesting State.

RULE 6 – CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES

The OC shall organise cultural, social and educational events for the purpose of promoting integration amongst the participants and spectators at the Games.

RULE 7 – ELIGIBILITY RULES

To be eligible to participate in the NPG, the following conditions shall apply:

  1. The athlete must be a Nigerian.
  2. Be registered by a State.
  3. An Athlete who is financially committed to a State shall compete for that State for as long as he/she remains under the sponsorship of the State, irrespective of where he/she resides. This is also applicable to an athlete who is on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and is on state sponsorship.
  4. Dual registration shall attract automatic disqualification.
  5. An athlete shall not change allegiance from one State to another less than 12 months before the Games.
  6. Military or Paramilitary Personnel may represent the State of their primary deployment. This also applies to NYSC Members who are not financially committed to any State.
  7. Any athlete or team coach registered to participate in any sport in the Games shall not act as Technical Official and vice versa.
  8. Any person/team under suspension by a National Sports Federation shall not participate in the NPG.
  9. There shall be no age limit for competitors in the NPG other than as prescribed by the IF of the respective sport.
  10. Any athlete who changes his/her identity for the purpose of participating in the NPG shall be banned from the NPG for life.

RULE 8 – ENTRIES

  1. Only States Sports Councils/Commissions shall enter competitors for the NPG. The right of final confirmation of entries rests with the OC.
  2. Preliminary Entries by Number and Entries by Name must be submitted to the OC in accordance with the Games Timeline.
  3. Final entries shall be determined at the Delegation Registration Meeting (DRM).
  4. All entries must be electronic and on an Entry Form approved by the OC.
  5. The number of team officials to be accommodated in the Games Village/s shall be in accordance with the provisions in Rule 5(iv).
  6. For States' Delegates who shall not be accommodated in the Games Village, the maximum entry shall be calculated thus: 15% of total athletes registered and 50% of number of sports entered by a State.
  7. The State that enters a competitor shall ensure that the competitor is fully aware of and complies with the Games Rules, viz:(a) The Entry Form must include the text of the eligibility conditions and the declaration to be signed by the competitor: "I understand that as a competitor in the NPG, I am participating in an event which is of national and historic importance and in consideration of the acceptance of my participation therein, I agree to be filmed, televised, photographed, identified and otherwise recorded during the Games under the conditions and for the purpose now or thereafter authorised by the OC in relation to the promotion of the Games. I also agree to comply with the Rules and Regulations currently in force and in particular, with the provision of the Rules regarding the eligibility for the Games. The relevant provisions and the rules have been brought to my attention by my State Sports Association and/or my State Sports Council/Commission."(b) The Entry Form must also include the text of the eligibility conditions and the following declaration to be signed by the Coaches and Officials: "I understand that as a Coach/Official in the Games, I am participating in an event which is of national and historic importance and in consideration of my participation therein, I agree to be filmed, televised, photographed, identified and otherwise recorded during the Games under the conditions and for the purpose now or thereafter authorised by the OC in relation to the promotion of the Games. I also agree to comply with the Rules and Regulations currently in force and in particular with the provisions of the Rules regarding the eligibility for the Games. The relevant provisions and the rules have been brought to my attention by my State Sports Association and/or my State Sports Council/Commission."
  8. No entry shall be valid unless the above provisions have been observed.

RULE 9 – INFRINGEMENT OF THE RULES

  1. The OC may withdraw accreditation from any person who infringes on the Rules and Regulations of the Games.
  2. Any State whose athlete, team or official disrupts an event, shall pay a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) only within the period of the Games.
  3. Any State that uses a disqualified athlete shall pay a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only and in addition lose the benefit of any medal(s) won by the athlete. The medal so withdrawn shall be awarded to the next athlete/team. The Secretary of the State Para Sports Association and the Head Coach of the Sport concerned shall also be suspended for one Sports Games (1 year), and from participating in all programmes of the concerned National Para Sports Federation for the same period. Any athlete disqualified on grounds of ineligibility shall also be banned from participating in any event organised by his/her National Sports Federation for a period of two (2) years.
  4. Any State that withdraws from any team event after registering to participate in it at the Games shall pay a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000.00) only.
  5. Any State that withdraws an accredited athlete from an individual event shall pay a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only.
  6. Any State that defaults in the payment of any fine shall have its medal withdrawn from the Medals Table until payment is effected.
  7. Dual registration shall attract the following sanctions: (a) automatic disqualification of the concerned athlete from the Games; (b) the Coach shall be suspended from participating in the Games and their accreditation withdrawn; and (c) the State shall pay a fine of Three Hundred and fifty Thousand Naira (N350,000.00) only per athlete.

RULE 10 – PROTESTS

  1. All protests arising before or after an event shall be forwarded to the jury of the NF with a non-refundable protest fee of Twenty thousand (N20,000.00) Naira only.
  2. Where it borders on the outcome of an event such protest must be lodged not later than two (2) hours after the event. The jury of the NF must take decision on the protest within twelve (12) hours of its lodgment.
  3. Any appeal against the decision of the NF jury should be forwarded to the Manager, Technical Team within 4 hours from the time the decision is communicated to the appellant with a non-refundable Appeal Fee of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only.
  4. The Technical Team must take a decision on an Appeal within twelve (12) hours of its lodgment.
  5. Appeals against the decision of the Technical Team must reach the Secretary, OC within four (4) hours from the time the decision is communicated to the appellant by the Technical Team, with a non-refundable Appeal Fee of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only. The decision of the OC is final.

RULE 11 – SPORTS FOR THE GAMES

  1. A maximum of fifteen (15) sports shall feature at the Games as listed below: Amputee Football, Para-Athletics, Para-Badminton, Para-Canoe, Para Cycling, Para Karate, Para-Powerlifting, Para-Shooting, Para-Soccer, Para-Swimming, Para-Taekwondo, Para-Table Tennis, Sitting Volleyball, Wheel Chair Basketball, Wheel Chair Tennis.
  2. For a sport to score in a particular NPG, a minimum of six (6) states must enter and participate. For an event to score, a minimum of Five (5) states must enter and participate. In the case of team sport where eliminations had taken place, a minimum of four (4) teams must enter and participate for the sport to score.
  3. The OC has the right to review the Sports/events/entries for the NPG as it deems fit.

Entries per sport and per event shall be in accordance with IF regulations. See Events table (S/N, Sports, No of competitors/events) as prescribed by the OC.

RULE 12 – ENTRIES PER SPORT

Entries per sport and per event shall be in accordance with IF regulations.

RULE 13 – ACCREDITATION

  1. Accreditation is the prerogative of the OC.
  2. The accreditation of athletes and officials is a condition for participation in the Games.
  3. The accreditation card gives, to the degree necessary in each case and as indicated thereon, access to the venues and events delimited on the card. The OC determines the categorisation of each person and sets the conditions.
  4. Accreditation for athletes and accompanying officials closes at DRM. No requests for accreditation shall be entertained after that date.
  5. Withdrawal of athletes or officials after printing of accreditation cards shall attract a penalty of the sum of one thousand Naira (N1,000) for each accreditation card and in the case of non-participation by a state at the Games after Printing of Accreditation cards, the State shall pay for all the accreditation cards printed for the state and additional penalties will be decided by the Organising Committee.
  6. Misplaced/lost Accreditation Cards by any athlete/official shall attract a Reprint Fee of Five thousand Naira (N5,000.00) only.
  7. Any Athlete in possession of a counterfeit accreditation card will be disqualified from participating in the Games.

RULE 14 – PARTICIPATION FEE

  1. Each participating State shall pay a Participation Fee of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000.00) only, per athlete or official, to augment the cost of accommodation and feeding in the Games Village. Payment of Participation Fee is a prerequisite for admission into the Games Village and participation at the Games.
  2. Dual sports participation by athletes shall attract additional Participation Fee of Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000.00) only per athlete.

RULE 15 – SUBSCRIPTION

Payment of NFs Annual Subscription Fees by States' Associations is a prerequisite for participation at the National Para Games.

RULE 16 – INSURANCE

Each participating State MUST provide appropriate insurance cover for her athletes and accompanying officials, evidence of which will form part of the conditions for admission of the State contingent into the Games Village.

RULE 17 – FLAGS

  1. A Games Flag (2.5m x 1.5m) must fly for the entire duration of the Games from a flagpole (12m high) placed in a prominent position in the Main Stadium, where it is hoisted during the Opening Ceremony and lowered at the Closing Ceremony.
  2. The National Flag, the Games Flag and Flags of participating States, shall be hoisted at the Games Village/s, all Competition and Training Venues, as well as, strategic places within the Host City.
  3. The States shall be responsible for sending their Flags to the OC while the OC shall produce the Games Flag.

RULE 18 – DURATION OF THE GAMES

The National Para Games shall be held within a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 8 days inclusive of arrival and departure.

RULE 19 – OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES

  1. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies shall be held in accordance with the arrangements agreed upon by the OC.
  2. The Opening Ceremony shall take place not earlier than one day before the commencement of competitions of the Games.
  3. The Closing Ceremony shall take place on the last day of the competition of the Games, preferably on a weekend.
  4. The detailed programme of the ceremonies shall be submitted by the OC.

RULE 20 – PRIZES

  1. The victory prizes of the Games shall be provided by the OC and shall consist of medals/trophies only.
  2. For all events, the first prize shall be Gold medal, the second prize, Silver medal and third prize, Bronze medal.
  3. Double bronze medals shall be awarded in those sports whose regulations allow the award of bronze medals to semi-finalists.
  4. The States that place 1st, 2nd and 3rd on the overall Medals Table shall be awarded a trophy each. Such trophies shall be named after prominent citizens of Nigeria or corporate bodies (if sponsored).

RULE 21 – TRANSPORT

Each State shall provide transportation for its contingent to and from the Games venue.

RULE 22 – PROJECT TEAMS OF THE GAMES

The OC shall set up Project Teams as it deems fit to assist in the organisation of the Games.

RULE 23 – FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION (NSC)

The NSC, owners of the Games, has the responsibility towards the success of the Games. The functions of the NSC shall include but not be limited to:

  1. Approval of the date for the Games.
  2. Provision of Guidelines, Rules and Regulations.
  3. Empowering the OC to function efficiently and effectively.
  4. Procurement of Medals and Trophies.
  5. Providing funds for transportation, local running, officiating allowances, board and lodge for National Technical Officials. Technical officials from the Host State (Local) shall be entitled to officiating allowance and local running only.
  6. Constitution of the Project Teams.
  7. Submission of Games Report to the Presidency.

DUTIES OF THE OC:

The functions of the OC shall include but not be limited to:

  1. Monitoring and co-ordination of the Games.
  2. The co-ordination and supervision of the activities of the NFs in relation to the Games.
  3. Ensuring that competitions are conducted in line with the Games Rules and Regulations.
  4. Co-ordinating the functions of the Project Teams and other activities related to the Games to ensure its overall success.

DUTIES OF NATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS

  1. Each NF shall be responsible for the technical control and direction of its sport and ensure all equipment, competition and training venues comply with its rules.
  2. Each NF shall prepare the events schedule of its sport and forward same to the Technical Team, in accordance with the Games Timeline.
  3. Each NF shall recommend, with the endorsement of its Technical Team, Technical officials for its sport, for appointment by the OC.
  4. Each NF shall appoint a Jury to handle protests arising from its sport.
  5. Each NF shall ensure that the conduct of its sport at the Games is in accordance with its International Federation's Rules and Regulations.
  6. Each NF shall select competent and qualified Technical Officials who must be medically and physically fit, knowledgeable/experienced in the sport.
  7. Each NF shall, in conjunction with the Technical Team and the Venues & Facilities Team ensure that all venues, facilities, markings, equipment, etc., meet with standard specifications.
  8. Each NF shall prepare medalists for medal presentations and victory ceremonies.
  9. Each NF shall submit daily reports and results (signed by the Secretary General), to the Technical Team.

RULE 24

Any other circumstantial incidence or development not covered in this National Para Games General Rules and Regulations shall be handled by the OC.

RULE 25 – FORCE MAJEURE

In the case of unforeseen circumstances (force majeure), the OC reserves the right to shift the venue and/or date of the NPG.