Team Nigeria has officially settled into the Games Village in Paris ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games. The 35-member contingent, consisting of 23 athletes, seven coaches, and five medical personnel, arrived on Thursday after an intensive training camp in Germany.
Suleiman Isah, the Secretary General of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), confirmed the team’s arrival, stating, “The Team Nigeria arrived today from Germany, where they had been preparing for weeks. The PCN President and I received the team, and they are now settling in. Training is set to begin tomorrow.”
The athletes and officials were warmly welcomed by PCN President, Sunday Odebode, who expressed confidence in the team’s preparedness for the upcoming competition.
Nasiru Sule, the head coach of Team Nigeria and a former Paralympic bronze medalist in table tennis, expressed optimism about the team’s prospects.
“The atmosphere is calm and conducive. All the athletes are eager to compete and make the country proud. They have trained vigorously and are highly motivated,” he noted.
Sule emphasized the determination and readiness of the athletes, attributing their preparedness to the thorough planning and focus provided by the PCN leadership during their training camp.
“We are in high spirits and ready for the challenge. While I cannot predict the exact number or color of medals, I am optimistic that we will bring home a good haul,” he added.
Team Nigeria has a strong history in the Paralympic Games, having won ten medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The team is looking to build on that success in Paris.
For the 2024 Games, Luritta Onye has been honored as the Flag Bearer, while Folashade Olufemi-Ayo will serve as the Team Captain. Mariam Wophil has been designated as the Chaperon, with Prof. Bola Florence Adeyanju appointed as the General Chaperon.