NAN-S-7
Pyeongchang
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Jan. 30, 2018 (NAN) Habu Gumel, the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), says Team Nigeria’s appearance at the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeongchang in South Korea was a good development for Nigeria’s sports.
Gumel spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at an event to motivate the athletes of Team Nigeria participating at the Winter Olympics, saying their participation would motivate other Nigerians.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which was tagged “Cheer Team Nigeria’’ was organised by the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja.
The Pyeongchang Games is slated to hold from Feb. 9 to Feb. 25 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
“Nigeria’s participation at the Games is the first time the country is taking part, and we see it as a welcome development for sports in Nigeria.
“Four female athletes will represent Nigeria in two sports at the Games, and I urge the girls to be good ambassadors as they represent the country.
“Nigerians are disciplined people. So, I want to appeal to them to assure that they are well disciplined and face what they are there for in South Korea.
“This is the only way they can bring victory not just for Nigeria alone but for the African continent,’’ Gumel said.
The NOC president, who is also a member of the International Olympics Committee (IOC), however expressed the hope that Nigeria’s participation would increase by the next Winter Olympic Games in 2022.
“We will look at the athletes and try to harness the talents that we have and hold meetings with them to see other sports that we can participate in.
“Since this is part of the athletics sports, I am sure that by the next Games more athletes will join and with the performance of our athletes in Pyeongchang others will be encouraged,’’ he said.
Earlier, the Director of Korean Cultural Centre, Han Sungrae, said his country was interested in Nigeria’s participation in the PyeongChang Olympics.
Han said the event was to show support for Nigeria’s team which would participate at the Games.
“This is Nigeria’s first time in history at the Winter Games and I am here to say congratulations to Nigeria and the team,’’ he said.
Also speaking, a former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the four athletes representing Nigeria at the Games are patriotic Nigerians.
“I am seeing these girls as true Nigerians and true patroits.
“With the level of their preparation, the girls are people with impeccable character and of good conduct and they are not going to be an embarrassment to Nigeria.
“I am sure we are going to get the best out of the Winter Games,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the Nigerian contingent to the Games will have four athletes, two coaches and a team coordinator.
The athletes are Seun Adigun, Akuoma Omeoga and Ngozi Onwumere who will represent Nigeria in the bobsled event, while Simidele Adeagbo will take part in the skeleton event.(NAN)
DE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)