On Thursday in Accra, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel welcomed a group of nine Nigerian cyclists who completed a journey from Lagos to Accra to raise awareness and support for the autism community.
The ride was part of their involvement in the “Play with Stephen” Golf Tournament.
The cyclists set off on Tuesday, and their arrival is just one of several events organized by the Play with Stephen Foundation in anticipation of the tournament’s 5th edition, scheduled from August 23rd to 25th.
During their two-day stay in Accra, the cyclists will explore various parts of the city by bicycle before heading back to Nigeria.
Stephen Onaivi, founder of the Play with Stephen Foundation, commended the cyclists for their dedication to such a challenging journey in support of a worthy cause.
“I think it is very surreal when you think about an initiative and it keeps getting bigger. Your arrival helps us celebrate a journey of commitment, perseverance, and dedication.
This is a lifelong journey that requires endurance, much like the experiences of people with autism, their families, and loved ones.
We recognize the tenacity and strength it takes to complete this journey, and I must commend you all. We need more initiatives like this in West Africa,” Onaivi said.
Eziafakau Nwokolo, the leader of the cycling team, who is also a doctor and mother of a child with autism, emphasized the significance of such initiatives.
“For me, it’s not just about raising awareness. There’s a difference between awareness and education. Raising awareness is important, but we also need to educate people.
Autism is a hidden disability that isn’t always visible. When my daughter behaved in ways others didn’t understand, it was because she was acting according to her own perspective. I’ve had to diagnose many people who were unaware they had autism, including adults.
Therefore, we must focus not only on creating awareness but also on educating people,” Nwokolo explained.
Mr. Anthony Ghansah, General Manager of the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with the Play with Stephen Foundation to support the event.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility, we engage with the community each year.
When we learned about this event, we were eager to collaborate with Stephen to contribute, and the addition of a golfing aspect made it even more appealing,” Ghansah said.
On Sunday, golfers, golf enthusiasts, and pioneers from the autism community will gather at the Achimota Golf Club for the Play with Stephen Golf Tournament, which promises fun, networking, and a meaningful contribution to the cause.
