Gangwon2024: Nigeria's historic Winter Olympics Curling qualification ratified

President of the Nigeria Curling Federation, Daniel Damola has expressed delight with the official ratification of Nigeria’s qualification for the Curling event at the Winter Olympics next year.

Damola’s comments came after the team’s qualification was confirmed for the Mixed team and Mixed doubles events in Gangwon 2024.

He noted that all hands need to be on deck to ensure the country has a memorable outing in Gangwon, South Korea.

“This is quite historic and we are glad we have been able to qualify as the only team from Africa,” Damola said.

“Now we have to switch our focus to doing respectably well at the Youth Olympic Games,” he said.

The President spoke further about what it will take to prepare the youngsters to ensure Nigeria is properly represented in Korea.

He added that a lot of funds will be required to give the young lads who would be representing Nigeria the kind of preparation they needed.

“As a federation, we have been doing all these alone,” the President added before making a plea for support.

“We will need the government, corporate bodies and indeed well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid as we step up in our preparation for the Youth Olympic Games.”

The World Curling Federation through an official statement on its website confirmed Nigeria as one of the countries that would feature in both the Mixed Team Championship and Mixed Doubles Championship at next year’s Youth Winter Olympic Games.

As per the Federation’s press release, the hosts Korea, Brazil, and the United States are among the other countries that will also feature in both the Mixed Team Championship and the Mixed Doubles Championship.

The countries that would be battling for honours in Gangwon secured qualification through different routes.

While some earned qualification through points earned at world championships held in Finland, others sealed their places through regional quotas or as the National Olympic Committee with the most points outside these initial criteria.

The Mixed Team Championship will feature 16 teams from across the globe, with representation from various regions while the Mixed Doubles Championship expands the field, featuring 24 teams from around the world. 

The Winter Youth Olympics is billed to take place from 19 January 2024 – 1 February 2024.