The Curling Ice Youth Winter Olympic Game is currently going
on in Gangneung in South Korea, Seoul and it will last from the 19th to the 29th
of January, 2024.
The Honorable Minister of Sports Development Sen. John Owan Enoh who witnessed
the event in South Korea on the 19th of January, said that he is proud of the Nigerian
team whose determination and participation in the game for the first time in
the history of sports necessitated the country’s representation in Korea.
While commending the spirit of oneness that he saw in the team, especially
their coordination by the Curling President who single handedly discovered the
sports and athletes, the minister assured them that "The President of
Nigeria Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu is solidly behind you, loves Sports and ready to
support Sports".
Sen. Enoh emphatically said that he is proud on them for daring the Europeans
in their game of Ice Curling during winter and participating in Youth Olympic
Game for the first time. Sen. Enoh said that for them to challenge Japanese athletes
who happen to be the second best in the world, speaks volume of the fact that
Nigeria has enormous talents in sports that if natured properly, will bring
glory to the country and as well, put them on podium performance.
"They have been the center of attraction in the game" the Hon.
Minister said as he observed that other countries attention were on six
Nigerian athletes who were participating with significant zeal among the one
hundred and seventeen countries that featured to compete in the Olympic
Championship.
He however, assured both the athletes and President of Curling federation of
every support that will make their World Body give them the deserved
recognition particularly when Nigerian is the only African country to be a
member of Curling Winter Ice Federation and also, as Europeans have seen our
countries love for their sports even when Nigeria has no Ice and strong Winter.
Furthermore, the Minister reminded them that "They are treasure and pride
of our country, you should continue to make the name of the country vibrate in
this tournament". Senator Enoh encouraged them to be proud of themselves
and remain confident despite their no. He further challenged them to emulate
Kamsi Dike Chukwu who broke a record in 2022 by being the youngest 10 year old
player during Curling Ice International Championship.
Sen. Enoh extended his sports hand of fellowship to both the Presidents of
African Nation Olympic Committee Association (ANOCA) Mr. Mustapha Barack and
the President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Dr. Thomas Bach whom he
paid courtesy call. Both Presidents notwithstanding, expressed recognition of
the country's dedication to excel in all areas of sporting activities.
According to them in their unanimous opinion, Nigeria is fast distinguishing herself
in sports related events. They were amazed that amidst other African countries,
only Nigeria flag is raised for mandatory recognition during Ice Curling
competitions. They pledged to synergies their relation with both the Ministry
and the NOC in areas that would support the growth sports.
President of the Curling Federation Mr. Daniel Damola in his response,
disclosed that Nigerian government supported his growth through sports thus,
his reason for given back to the same government through sports. Speaking, he
stated that Curling originated from Scotland but domiciled only in countries
with Ice Winter. Mr. Damola further said that he knows that Nigerians excel anywhere
they find themselves and that he was not discouraged in the discovering of this
sports.
The President still revealed that he gathers his athletes in Nigeria and
sponsors them to Germany Italy, Finland and Russia for trainings that qualified
them to participate for the first time in the ongoing Youth Winter Olympic Game
which is strictly between the ages of 15- 17 years. Nigerian athletes are participant
in the different categories which comprises of Mix-events 2boys and 2 girls,
Mix-Double 1boy and 1 girl.
The Honorable Minister John Owan Enoh attended the event in the full complement
of the President of the Nigerian Olympics Committee Engr. Habu Gumel and some
of his technical staff, President of athletes in the Nigerian Olympic
Commission who also doubles as the vice Chairman of Nigerian Olympic Committee
Mr. Outmode Oyedeji, Staff of the Ministry in Grassroots Department and a Press
Office
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