Izuchukwu OkosiThe Federal Government has called on selected athletes participating in the 2nd African Beach Games holding in Temament, Tunisia to ensure excellent performances as Nigeria hopes to qualify for the upcoming ANOC World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia
In a statement signed by Mohammed Manga who is Director, Press and Public Relations in the Sports Ministry on Sunday, 25 June 2023, Nigeria will participate in 10 sporting events at the games.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ismaila Abubakar shed more light on the games and the huge expectations from ‘Team Nigeria’ in Tunisia.
“Not less than 10 events would be on offer, where athletes will showcase their talents and the athleticism of Nigerian athletes on the beautiful beaches of Tunisia,” Abubakar disclosed.
“The events he added will cover a wide range of sports, ensuring a diverse and exciting competition for both participants and spectators alike.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that on the list is the high-energy sport of Beach Volleyball, where Nigeria will be represented by a skilled team of 12 players.
Following closely also, is the Beach Handball, with a talented squad of 10 players ready to showcase their exceptional skills on the sand.
The Games will run from June 22 to June 30, 2023 and will serve as qualification phase for the upcoming ANOC World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia, scheduled for August 4 to August 12, 2023.
In addition to the team sports, Nigeria will also compete in individual events.
Air Badminton will see three players from Nigeria demonstrating their agility, quick reflexes, and finesse.
A solitary athlete in Kata Karate will represent the country where he is sure to display the mastery of traditional martial arts at the games.
While acknowledging the exhilarating challenge the open water may likely pose for Nigerian athletes participating in Open Water Swimming, the sports administrator expressed optimism that the four swimmers who will represent the country are poised for the demanding nature of the sport.
Nigeria will also participate in Teqball, a relatively new sport that combines elements of soccer and table tennis: “Nigeria will field a competitive team of three players, who will battle it out against the other nations in this unique and exciting sport,” he said.
Other games where the country will be represented include Tennis, Ocean Racing, Rowing Beach and Beach Wrestling.
Abubakar therefore called on Nigerian athletes to ensure they make the country proud, assuring that the Ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for the development of sports in the country, in line with the policy thrust of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – led administration.
The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel is the leader of the Nigerian Contingent for the 2nd African Beach Games organised by The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
Gumel had repeatedly assured that the Nigerian contingent are keen to make great strides at the Games.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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