Nigeria’s flag lands at athletes’ village

Team Nigeria with Sports Minister, Mr Sunday Dare

A very large enthusiastic crowd of officials and athletes watched as Team Nigeria hoisted the national flag at the athletes village with Kizz Daniel’s Buga song creating a rapturous scene.

What was meant to be a small ceremony turned out big as athletes from other countries jumped in showing off their dancing skills to the Buga song.

The Commonwealth Games starts today and will be rounded off on August 8. Over 5,000 athletes will compete in 19 different sports as England hosts the event for the third time in its history.

Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Banji Oladapo, who was delighted with the reception received by the team as Nigeria’s green, white, green flag fluttered in the air said that Nigeria would fight for all medals exhibiting discipline and respect and abiding by the rules of the Games.

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Team Nigeria will be represented by 127 athletes in 17 disciplines at the Games.

Girl of the moment, Tobi Amusan who smashed the 100m hurdles world record is the defending champion in her category. Other star athletes who are expected to sparkle for Team Nigeria include Blessing Oborodudu who won gold at the last Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia in the women’s -68kg category, Odunayo Adekuoroye will also defend her gold medal in the women’s wrestling -57kg category, just as Aminat Adeniyi who won gold in the -62kg event.

The Table Tennis contingent is led by Aruna Quadri, which includes Olajide Omotayo among others.