In its continued drive to open up new opportunities to budding talents across the country, the Nigeria Curling Federation (NCF) has staged another training clinic in Lagos where over 200 participants were taken through the rudiments of the sports.
The over 200 participants who were drawn from three different schools; Baptist Boys and Girls Academy and also Reagan Memorial college had lively sessions with instructors from the Federation.
The instructors, apart from introducing the enthusiastic youngsters to the rudiments of the unique sport, also offered professional counsel to the participants on how they can become the next big star from the country and, indeed from the continent.
At least five of the participants who were described as exceptional have been pencilled down by the NCF officials, who are ready to expose them to further training that would see them becoming prolific young curlers.
The participants are particularly motivated by this new adventure, having seen one of their peers represent Nigeria at last year’s World Junior B Curling championship held in Finland.
It is in Finland that Nigeria picked Africa’s first ticket to the 2024 Youth Olympics scheduled to take place in the Gangwon Province, South Korea, from January 19 to February 1.
The Lagos Clinic, which was graciously graced by the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola was sponsored by the President of the Nigeria Curling Federation, Daniel Damola and the Secretary General of NCF alongside other executives of the NCF.
The Federation, despite the challenges with funding, says it remains resolute in holding more clinics across the country targeted at popularising curling and also giving youths across the country a platform to become superstars.
Meanwhile, the NCF leadership has hinted at plans for a series of training tours for the youth team that has qualified for next year’s Youth Winter Olympics
In April, the team will be in France before heading to South Korea in August and in December to firm up the preparations for a glorious outing in the Gangwon Province
“We want to win Nigeria’s first winter Olympic medal,” the NCF President declared as he reiterated calls to corporate bodies, the government and well-meaning individuals to support his federation’s dream of making history.
