By Tony Nezianya

Two physically challenged Nigerian athletes, Maria Akpan and Destiny Agbo have won four medals at the 2023 GAPS Commonwealth Athletics event in South Africa.

The duo returned to Nigeria on Thursday with their medals.

While Maria Akpan won Gold in the T 136, 100 metres, Destiny Agbo won gold and two silver medals in fenale Javelin.

The two silver medals apiece from Discuss and Shot Put.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) developed the GAPS (Gather, Adjust, Prepare and Sustain) programme for para athletes and coaches.

The goal of GAPS is to offer emerging athletes and coaches from the Commonwealth additional skills and resources.

This is driven through education as it supports inclusive sports pathways to also promote social change throughout the Commonwealth.

It aims to support the development of inclusive sport pathways, removing barriers to participation for people with a disability and for women & girls to become actively involved in sport

The goal of GAPS is to offer emerging athletes and coaches from the Commonwealth access to additional skills, knowledge, and resources.

It was introduced during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games staged in Australia.