Nigeria

When the Special Olympics World Winter Games starts in Austria also some athletes from Nigeria will be there to participate. 22 athletes from Nigeria are coming to Austria and they will take part in the floorball and floor hockey competitions.

Adeola Oladugba is the Sports Manager of the Nigerian Special Olympics team and knows the reasons, why the athletes are motivated: "Special Olympics program creates fun, establishes a sense of self-identity, provides different level of participation by including all athletes with intellectual disabilities to achieve their personal best these and many more are the motivations for the athletes."

"The Team is in high spirits, and they are all excited and can’t wait for the Games to start," he continues speaking about the euphoria among the athletes.

A very important part of the games is also the preparation. "Presently, the teams are training daily at in-door-sport hall, Teslim Balogun stadium, Lagos between 9am and 1pm," Oladugba said.

His own expectation of the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria is "to meet other Athletes, Coaches and volunteers from other Countries. In addition, to have a robust and enjoyable sports competition."

In his point of view the biggest wish of the athletes is "to represent the country well at the games, be a good ambassador for Nigeria, and  return back with a gold medal."

written by Marcel Yildiz (University of Applied Sciences Graz)

Infos to the athletes of Nigeria