Special Olympics celebrates Team Nigeria’s 71 medals

It was a gathering of champions yesterday when the Special Olympics Nigeria hosted the 42 Athletes, who won a total of 71 medals for the country at the just concluded World Games in Los Angeles, United States.

The athletes, who participated in over seven sports, won medals in all the sports featured at the event hence the federation decided to celebrate them yesterday.

Aside the federation, parents and guardians of the athletes, who were present at the ceremony held in Ikoyi Lagos, also showered encomium on their wards for making Nigeria proud at the championship.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, board of trustees Special Olympic Nigeria, Victor Osibadu, said the country’s performance in Los Angeles was the best since the country started taking part at the championship.

“In soccer, our football team defeated countries like Germany, Russia, South Africa and other top teams in the world to win gold. We are proud of the athletes and I want to pledge that our support for the special athletes will continue to grow,” he said.

National Director, Special Olympics Nigeria, Naomi Saliu-Lawal, also commended the athletes for their effort, saying that the organisation would continue to bring out the potential in children with intellectual disability in Nigeria.

“Nigerian athletes displayed high level of professionalism in America. The athletes made the world know that Nigeria is a force to reckon with in sports,” she said, while revealing that out of the 71 medals Nigeria won, 34 are gold.

The team took part in swimming, athletes, badminton, basketball, cycling, football and table tennis.