Gumel excited by Nigerian athletes’ performance in Birmingham 2022

Posted By Godwin Onyemaechi

Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) President, Habu Gumel, cannot stop praising the country’s athletes for their efforts at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where they won 35 medals to become Africa’s number one nation on the Games’ medals table.

Gumel lauded the contingent for winning 12 gold, nine silver and 14 bronze medals, the highest in Nigeria’s 15th appearance at the Games (1994 in Victoria with 37 medals (11-13-13) and Glasgow 2014(11-11-14).

“This is the most remarkable outing in terms of gold medals won, which are 12. We are proud of the efforts of the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, who worked tirelessly with the NOC to ensure the best welfare packages for the athletes,” Gumel, a member of International Olympic Committee (IOC), said.
Team Nigeria reached the landmark with all 12 gold medals won by women athletes.

Also speaking on the feat, NOC secretary, Banji Oladapo, saluted the athletes’ courage, strength and discipline in ensuring that Nigeria’s Green White Green flag fluttered in the sky.

“Nigeria has a very long and proud sporting history of women doing well in sports. We salute their gallantry and also salute the efforts of the men and those who could not get a medal. Team Nigeria displayed great sportsmanship in Birmingham and for that, we are proud of them,” Oladapo said.

He noted that the NOC would continue to work with the sports ministry to ensure that Nigerian athletes were not left out in IOC’s scholarship programmes.

Earlier, Gumel had revealed that two Nigerian athletes, who excelled at the last World Athletics Championships, Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume, as well as 12 other top stars, were on the sponsorship of the Olympic body.

“We have 14 of our notable Grade A athletes on this scheme and we have never failed to give them their training and school grants,” he said.