President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has promised to show better appreciation to the Nigerian team that represented the country at the just concluded world Paralympics Games in Beijing, China for doing the country proud at the quadrennial sports fiesta.

Yar'Adua made the pledge at a reception held for the contingent on their arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by members of the Nigerian Supporters Club.

The president, who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Mr Adeniji Adele, commended the Paralympiard for not letting the nation down at the world event. "You have done us proud and you should be proud of yourselves," said the president.

He added that everything will be done to continuously encourage sportsmen and women in the country.

On his part, the Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Abdulrahman Hassan Gimba, represented by Abba Yola, Special Assistant to Director-General of the NSC, Dr Amos Adamu, reiterated federal government's commitment to sports development and conveyed Nigerian's deep appreciation to the team for their achievements.

The National President of Special Sports, Mrs Florence Adeyanju who presented the team to the president, urged the federal government to show commitment and encouragement to physically challenged athletes, noting that they have always done the nation proud.

"The country should invest more in Paralympics and shouldn't underrate physically challenged athletes," Adeyanju said, stressing that many of the medals won by the team are new world records.

The victorious Paralympiards won four gold medals, four silver and one bronze to finish 30th on the overall medals table.