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22 athletes for Special Olympics Games in Austria

By Daily Sports on March 11, 2017

Twenty-two athletes will depart on Monday to represent the nation at this year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games. The humanitarian event would hold this month between 14th and 25th in Graz and Schladming in Styria, Austria.

Special Olympics Nigeria athletes are scheduled to compete in two indoor sports, which include Floor Ball and Floor Hockey. The nation body is an affiliate of Special Olympics International, a global non-profit organisation.

Speaking at the sent-forth occasion, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Special Olympics Nigeria, Mr. Victor Gbolade Osibodu, said arrangements are in top gear for the athletes and nine officials that include a medical doctor for a successful trip.

According to Osibodu, the nation’s affiliate had to partner with South Africa’s body to train the nation’s coaches and athletes in readiness for the games, which are new to Nigeria.

While, charging the athletes to give their best at the Games, he said: “There is always an ability in a world of disability. We are grateful to the Lagos government for permitting us to train at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the Edo State government that sponsored an athlete and is committed to developing an environment that allows more athletes from the state to train and participate and to our other corporate sponsors for all their support.”

Also giving her remark, the National Director, Special Olympics Nigeria and Head of Delegation, Naomi Saliu-Lawal, said the athletes deserve praise for their conduct and great skills shown during training.

“It is an awesome sight and to think that these are sports new to Nigeria and seeing how far we have come…” (The Guardian)

•Photo shows Nigeria’s 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games contingent.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 11, 2017