Special Olympics Nigeria Host World Cup Ball

…Intensify Preparation For 2011 Summer Games

By Emmanuel Tobi

All roads lead to the Astro Turf 2000, Ikoyi, Lagos next weekend as Special Olympics Nigeria (SONigeria) host the FIFA 2010 World Cup official ball which is expected to arrive Nigeria April 8-14, 2010.

The ball which represents the legendary Football Olympics Torch makes a journey every four years from Battersea Park, London (where the first FA-rules football match was played) to the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup as a symbol that matches the spirit of the Olympic flame.

Revealing this to the media in Lagos on Tuesday, SONigeria chairman, Victor Osibudu added that several activities have been lined up to make the event memorable as the ball which had toured Morocco, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote D’ Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin get to Lagos in April.

“In partnership with Special Olympics, ‘The Ball’ will be received on Saturday, 10th April, 2010 at the Astro-Turf 2000, Ikoyi where a novelty unified 5-aside soccer match will be played by teams featuring athletes with and without intellectual disabilities in the very best spirit of the game, helping to create communities of tolerance and inclusion in Nigeria,” Mr Osibadu said.

He added that the novelty match will feature SONigeria athletes and COPA Coca-Cola players playing as a team.

While thanking the management of Guaranty Trust Bank, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Publics Soulcomm, Astro Turf 2000, DHL, Search and Groom, DHL Sub Saharan Africa and Alive and Kicking for their support towards hosting the ‘World Cup Ball’; Osibodu commended the media for their support in reaching out to the general public to support the Special Olympics athletes.

Meanwhile, National Director of SONigeria, Mrs Folashade Bolumole has called on individuals, corporate organisations and state government to support the body in their quest for a good outing at the Special Olympics World Summer Games billed for June, 2011 in Athens, Greece where 59 athletes will be representing Nigeria in 5 events.

She urged Nigerians to support and sponsor at least an athlete, in order to ameliorate cost.

 of sponsoring a delegate’s camping and training, Airfare, Visa fees, Travel kits, Medical Examinations e.t.c which is budgeted at N992, 833.59.