The Curling Ice Youth Winter Olympic Game is currently going on in Gangeung  in South Korea, Seoul and it will last from the 19th to the 29th of January, 2024.

The Honourable 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 athelets, 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 dearing 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 challenges Japanese athletes who happen to be the second best in the world,  speaks  volumes 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 atheletes 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 athelets 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 stronge Winter. 

Further more, 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 not withstanding,  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 her self 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 synergise  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 any where 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 on going Youth Winter Olympic Game which is strictly between the ages of 15- 17 years. Nigerian athletes  are participating in the different categories which comprises of Mix-events 2boys and 2 girls, Mix-Double 1boy and 1 girl.

The Honourable Minister John Owan Enoh  attended the event in the full compliment 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. Olumide Oyedeji, Staff of the Ministry in Grassroot Department  and a Press Officer.

Fely Mammah NwokoriePress Officer22nd January,  2024

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