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NOC president, Habu Gumel
By Aderonke Ojo
Habu Gumel, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), says preparations for Nigeria’s hosting of the 2027 African School Games are on course.
Gumel said this on Saturday in Abuja while addressing newsmen at the 3rd North Central Regional ‘Catch Them Young’ Gymnastics Festival.
The festival was held under the theme, ‘Building Bridges, Renewing Hope for the Future Generation.’
He said Nigeria had presented its plans for the 2027 African School Games to the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
According to him, the presentation was made during the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan and was well received.
“I attended the Games alongside the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the African School Games.
“The presentation was well accepted, and I want to assure you that the African School Games is on course.
“Nigeria will do wonders and make Africa proud. I want to express confidence that Nigeria will successfully host the Games,” he said.
Gumel said representatives of all 54 African National Olympic Committees (NOCs) had been invited to observe the Asian Games.
“I just came back from Japan on Friday, where I was in Nagoya to attend the 20th Asian Games,” he said.
He described the Asian Games as exciting and commended the organisers, particularly for the arrangements surrounding the opening ceremony.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria will host the 2nd African School Games in Abuja from Aug. 2 to Aug. 11, 2027.
The African School Games is expected to bring together young athletes from across the continent to compete in various sporting disciplines.
NAN reports that, as of Saturday, China led the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games medal table with 107 gold, 41 silver and 28 bronze medals.
Japan occupied second position with 31 gold, 49 silver and 49 bronze medals, while South Korea was third with 16 gold, 21 silver and 36 bronze.
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games began on Sept. 19 and are scheduled to end on Oct. 4.
Athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees are competing across 43 sports at the Games. (NAN)
