A total number of sixty delegates of Team Nigeria will be departing for Los Angeles, USA at this year Special Olympics Games. Fourty two athletes will compete in seven sports: Football, Swimming, Athletics, Basketball and other sports with eighteen officials.
Speaking at a press conference, Victor Gbolade Osibodu, Chairman, Board of Directors, Special Olympics Nigeria, said the lucky delegates was carefully selected to represent Nigeria and charged the athletes to give their best and make the nation proud.
“ It is more about participation and be part of the world community,” Osibodu said.
He also praised the sponsors for their immense support to Special Olympics Nigeria.
Sewelo Oluseyi Whenu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Sports Commission added that Lagos State will continue to support the Special Olympics Nigeria.
“We have the highest numbers of athletes in Team Nigeria going to Los Angeles, Lagos state will continue to support the team even in years to come”
He also admonishes the team to give a good account of themselves.
“Be good ambassadors of the country, give your best and represent Nigeria very well.”
Naomi Saliu-Lawal, National Director Special Olympics Nigeria, revealed that a vocational package has been put in place to engage the participants after the games.
“We have signed a sustainability project with one of our sponsors into various vocational training for the athletes”.
This would be the third edition of the Special Olympics Nigeria National Games since the inception of the body. The first games were in 2006 and the second held in 2010.
Team Nigeria will be hoping to improve on Fourty nine medals won by at the last edition.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games open on 25 July 2015 in Los Angeles, USA.
About 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 nations are set to compete in 25 Olympic-type sports. It’s a world stage for athletes to demonstrate on the playing field their courage, determination and spirit of sportsmanship.
Anthony Nlebem
@AnthonyNlebem
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