Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan has charged Team Nigeria to make the country proud and bring home good result in the upcoming All Africa Games schedule to take place in Accra, Ghana from March 8 – 23, 2024.
Speaking with various presidents of sports federations on Monday to addressed critical issues pertaining to the nation’s preparation and participation in the upcoming event, the Honourable Minister urged federation presidents to strive for a superior performance compared to the previous Games held in Morocco.
Team Nigeria’s contingent will open camp on February 15, 2024, in five states across the Federation, as preparation hits second gear for the Games, and the country will participate in 25 sports, with eight serving as Olympic qualifiers including athletics, badminton, cycling, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, and wrestling.
Additionally, the country will compete in 15 non-Olympic qualifying sports such as arm wrestling, basketball (3×3), beach volleyball, boxing, chess, cricket, football, and handball. Furthermore, two sports, mixed martial arts, and scrabble, will be demonstrated by Nigerian athletes.
“I urge you all to give your utmost effort and guide your federations towards achieving exceptional results in Ghana. We bear the responsibility of upholding our nation’s flag and bringing pride to our people,” Senator Owan said.
The camping sites have been designated in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Gombe, and Bayelsa. Abuja will accommodate athletes participating in athletics, arm wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, rugby, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting, and volleyball.
Lagos will serve as the campsite for beach volleyball, cricket, handball, table tennis, mixed martial arts, and triathlon. Ibadan will host boxing, chess, scrabble, judo, and karate. Bayelsa will cater to the wrestling team, while Gombe will provide facilities for the cycling team.
Nigeria remains the second most-successful nation in the history of the Games with a total of 1326 medals won across 12 editions of the Games held every four years.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
