Awesome Nigerian in Sports
Hakeem Olajuwon and Christian Okoye lead a wave of Nigerian athletes in this U.S. Graphic by Michael Meredith
This CBS Sports article recently recognized the unique contributions of Nigerian athletes to American football and basketball. The article notes "Nigerians have a fierce family pride and dogged belief in education -- particularly higher education -- that allows them to succeed in this country. These noble West African natives and their descendants are the American Dream".
Nigerian football star Perpetua Nkwocha is a multiple African champion and African Women's Footballer of the Year. Her playing career has taken her from Nigeria to China and then to Sweden - where she has been based in the northern town of Skelleftea for more than seven years as a player-coach for a local team. She devotes her spare time to coaching a group of Afghan teenagers, some of the hundreds of young migrants who have arrived in the town in recent months.
Nigeria at the Under-17 World Cup
When Nigeria lifted the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in 2015, it was the side's record fifth time – 30 years on from their first success at what was then the U-16 World Championship in China. In between those successes the Nigerians have dominated the event, reaching eight finals, including four of the last five.
Nigeria at the paralympics.....
Nigeria made its Paralympic Games début at the 1992 Summer Paralympics in Barcelona with a delegation of six male athletes competing in track & field, powerlifting and table tennis. Adeoye Ajibola won two gold medals in sprint, while Monday Emoghawve obtained one in powerlifting.
Since then, Nigeria has participated in every subsequent edition of the Summer Paralympics, and has won a total of 22 gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze medals. Go Team Nigeria!