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By: Abiodun Adewale.
Team Nigeria will be looking to mark their appearance at the 2023 World University Games in Chengdu, China with some medals in their last two events as the competition gradually winds down, The PUNCH reports.
Nigeria will be in action in the women singles and doubles event of the badminton event on Friday, while the male and female 4x100m relay quartets will also be eyeing a podium finish.
Thovoethin Sewakan (UNILAG), Musa Nurain (UNILORIN), King Etaohi (DELSU) and Adedigba Oluwakorede (UI) will take to the tracks for honours in the men’s 4x100m, while Adekola Tinuade (UI), Aransiola Victoria (FUNAAB), Gideon Blessing (Ignatius Ajuru University of Education) and Blessing Akintoye (FUNAAB) will combine in the women’s 4x100m.
Also, Abiola Motunrayo, Aminat Ilori, Idowu Oluwasegun and Umar Mijutapha will also hope to make the podium in the badminton event.
Nigeria entered for seven events at this year’s edition — athletics, swimming, badminton, judo, taekwondo, table tennis and tennis.
The country is represented by 27 athletes selected from 22 schools. The Nigeria University Games Association reduced the number of athletes from 100 to 27 after paucity of funds almost scuttled their participation at the championship.
Nigeria’s first appearance at the World University Games was in 1970, and since then, have appeared 15 times, winning a total of 70 medals in the process.