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NIGERIA OLYMPIC COMMITTEE CHIEF, GUMEL, RALLIES ATHLETES WITH “WE ARE HERE TO WIN” VOW

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Nigeria Olympic Committee President Habu Gumel rallied his country’s African Games athletes with a “we are here to win” vow as the continental championships began in Rabat.

Speaking at the Nigerian contingent’s welcome to the Games Village, Gumel expressed confidence in Nigeria topping the medal table in Morocco when the African Games finish on August 31.

He told athletes: “We are here to win the Games.

“As you can see Morocco is our home.

“Definitely we will win.”

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International Olympic Committee member Gumel stressed to athletes that they should be on their best behaviour in Rabat and reminded them of their duties as Nigerian ambassadors.

Tosin Oke of Nigeria won the men’s triple jump at the 2015 African Games

The Nigerian contingent of almost 300 was welcomed by Youssef Oliewzar, Mayor of the African Games Village, in a colourful ceremony.

Oliewzar thanked the Nigerian Government for releasing the athletes to participate in the Games and welcomed everyone as the country’s green-white-green flag was hoisted.

Four years ago, in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, Nigeria finished second behind Egypt in the final medal table.

They won 47 gold, 54 silver and 42 bronze medals in a haul of 143 podium positions.

Egypt collected 217 medals of which 85 were gold.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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