Preparations are in top gear for the Nigerian delegation to this year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games scheduled to take place from March 14th – 25th in Austria. Team Nigeria would feature a 31-man delegation comprising of 22 athletes who will compete in 2 indoor sports (Floor ball and Floor Hockey). Floorball and Floor Hockey are new to the Nigeria program and so Special Olympics partners in South Africa were invited to train the coaches and athletes in readiness for the games.
At a Special Send forth organized in their honour, the chairman of the Board of Directors, Special Olympics Nigeria, Mr Victor Gbolade Osibodu thanked all who were present to support this worthy cause. While charging the athletes to give their best, Mr Osibodu stated that” there is always ability in a world of disability. We are grateful to the Lagos State government for permitting us to train at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Edo State Government – who sponsored an athlete and is committed to developing an environment that allows more athletes from Edo State to train and participate and to our other corporate sponsors for all their support”
Naomi Saliu-Lawal, National Director, Special Olympics Nigeria and Head of Delegation to the games commended the athletes for their remarkable discipline and display of tremendous skills during the past three months practicing for the games. She stressed that “It is an awesome sight and to think that these are sports new to Nigeria and seeing how far we have come.”
“We would like to extend our appreciation to our sponsors who have made sure that the athletes have this opportunity to represent us – Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG), Biswal Limited, Union Bank PLC, Orintory Energy Limited, IrokoTv and several individuals who have chosen to be anonymous. “Thank you very much from all of us at Special Olympics Nigeria” she added
Present at the event to lend support and encourage the athletes were popular actresses Kate Henshaw and Linda Ejiofor. They commended the athletes and parents for their effort as well as pledge support for Special Olympics Nigeria and its activities.
Special Olympics Nigeria (SO Nigeria) is an affiliate of Special Olympics international and our goal is to provide children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and opportunities for athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports. SO Nigeria caters to 22,000 athletes in 4 of the 6 geo-political zones in Nigeria.
Anthony Nlebem
