February 11, (THEWILL) – Nigeria is set to make history as the first African nation to compete in the Invictus Games scheduled to take place from September 9 to 16 in Düsseldorf.
The international multi-sport event, founded by the Duke of Sussex, for wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans, has confirmed Nigeria as one of the 22 countries taking part this year. The West African nation plans to send 10 athletes to the Games, where they will participate in athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.
The Invictus Games Foundation said Nigeria is taking part in the games, “thanks to the recognition of the impact of sports recovery on the community in Nigeria”. Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 and since then, has had the opportunity to participate in several sporting events. Corporal Effiom Antigha, a Nigerian athlete, who took part in the Invictus Endeavours Sport Recover Week last year, said the Invictus Games have “impacted my life greatly.”
Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “Such was the impact of the opportunities we provide, including within Nigeria, and the support of senior military stakeholders, that we felt the team there was ready and well prepared for joining an Invictus Games.”
He added, “I am delighted that an invitation has now been issued for a team of ten wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans to attend the games as the first African nation to do so.”
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
