Nobody reckoned much with Nigeria’s bobsled team. It was made up of a bunch of American-based girls who had no experience. However, reports said the team entertained the world creditably. The contingent to the just concluded 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea is grateful to Nigerians for their support. We hear that President Muhammadu Buhari will on March 7 host the team to a presidential reception in Abuja.
Reports said the bobsled trio of Seun Adigun, Akuoma Omeoga and Ngozi Onwumere, as well as Simidele Adeagbo, who flew Nigeria’s flag in the skeleton event, arrived to a rousing welcome at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Tuesday night.
Team captain, Adigun said she was excited with the love and support showed by Nigerians despite the fact it was their first participation at the Winter Olympics. She stated that with more time, more preparation and funding, Nigeria would compete for medals in the nearest future.
The President of the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba told newsmen that the presidency might host the team on March 7 in Abuja. Ogba, who is the immediate past President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, stated that many Nigerians in the Diaspora were scrambling to join the Nigerian bobsled and skeleton team ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
In Ogba’s words, “Our participation at the 2018 Winter Olympics has opened the door of blessing for Nigerian sports in many ways. Just before our departure from South Korea, one Nigerian, a male bobsled athlete, who resides in Germany, got in touch with me saying that he will like to represent Nigeria in the 2022 Winter Olympics”.
The former AFN boss continued, “There are so many Nigerians who have been denied the opportunity of showcasing their talents in the Winter Olympics just because we were not participating in the games before now. In South Korea, we were surprised to see three Nigerians competing for Great Britain. Though, it is an expensive sports, we will do everything possible to build on the achievement we have made so far”.
Certainly, Nigeria has made a statement of intent in the bobsled event. Let the world beware in 2022.
