‘Tana Aiyejina
Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, has backed the Nigerian Bobsleigh and Skeleton team to perform well at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games scheduled for Pyeongchang, Korea Republic, from February 9 to 25.
Tinubu stated this in Lagos on Wednesday when the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Younghoan Lee, presented a model of the Winter Olympics Torch to the All Progressives Congress leader.
It is the first time the country will participate at the Winter Olympics.
He said, “The Nigerian Bobsleigh and Skeleton team should continue to strive. The mere fact that they are very creative and determined to participate is a great pride to Nigeria. We should as much as possible give them support and encouragement to win medals. The sports ministry should encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora, who have opportunities to engage in as many sports as possible whether they are related to winter or not. That would keep the country’s flag flying in sports.
“Even though we don’t have winter or snow in Nigeria, we have Nigerians in the Diaspora that will represent the country at the Winter Games and they have made us proud to be the first to qualify from Africa.”
Tinubu added, “The torch means a lot to me. I am not the only Nigerian out of over 200 million people to be singled out and presented with this Olympic Torch. This is very important to me and the country.”
Lee said the Olympics would help enhance Nigeria’s relationship with Korea.
He said, “We present this model of the Olympic Torch to Tinubu, for the friendship and relationship between Korea Republic and Nigeria. I also want to suggest to Tinubu to help open more ties between Nigeria and Korea and also use the opportunity to visit Korea and watch the Winter Games with Nigeria competing in two competitions, the Bobsleigh and the Skeleton events.”
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: theeditor@punchng.com
Post A Comment:
0 comments so far,add yours