The Nigerian Curling Federation (NCF) has launched the construction of a dedicated centre in Calabar, in the south of the country. With this first infrastructure on the continent, the NCF intends to promote the practice of this ice sport in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
In Nigeria, a country of 200 million people, we swear by football and a few other disciplines (basketball, athletics, table tennis…). However, it was enough of a little girl’s passion for curling, an ice sport, to find its place in the local landscape. And more specifically in Calabar, on the south coast, where the Nigerian Federation (NCF), created in 2017 and affiliated with the International Federation (World Curling) in 2018, has just launched the work of a complex expected to be completed by the end of 2021, if all goes well.
Damola Daniel, the president of the NCF and the boss of this very ambitious project, funded in part by donations, says: “The Curling Federation of Nigeria was created at the request of Miss Sheila Daniel in 2017, then 12 years old. She went to see her father and mother, Mr. Daniel and Mrs. H.Daniel, and she said, “Please, could you both come and watch me play curling? If you find it interesting, please bring this sport to Nigeria.”
Obviously, Sheila’s parents were convinced. To the point of mobilizing their company specialized in sports management. In the space of a few months, it succeeded in meeting the requirements to become the first African affiliated country among the 60 or so members of World Curling.
That’s enough to delight the president of the world body, Kate Caithness. “Having an infrastructure dedicated to ice curling is a fundamental first step for countries to develop curling,” says the Scottish leader. Although it did not become a member until 2018, Nigeria has begun this process, demonstrating its passion for the sport and its development. Not only in his own country, but to lead the way for all other African nations.” The boss of World Curling adds: “Nigeria’s passion has already inspired other African countries to become members. We already have two other applications for membership [Gambia and Kenya].” Nigeria would also help Ghana and Senegal create their own federations.
This interest in West Africa for a discipline, admittedly Olympic but little publicized, may surprise. However, for Jean-Pierre Bauduin, creator and host of the specialist website France Curling, there is no reason not to take it seriously. “World Curling will do everything it can to promote curling in Nigeria and Africa in general. “We have had similar examples with Brazil and Mexico,” he says. Curling in hot countries may surprise, but that’s what makes it so charming. In Brazil, walking on the ice is already an experience! He added: “Nigeria’s project is valid. He’s going to get the country talking and Nigerians don’t have to be ashamed to compete internationally, even though the first team is more Canadian than Nigerian.
That’s enough to delight the president of the world body, Kate Caithness. “Having an infrastructure dedicated to ice curling is a fundamental first step for countries to develop curling,” says the Scottish leader. Although it did not become a member until 2018, Nigeria has begun this process, demonstrating its passion for the sport and its development. Not only in his own country, but to lead the way for all other African nations.” The boss of World Curling adds: “Nigeria’s passion has already inspired other African countries to become members. We already have two other applications for membership [Gambia and Kenya].” Nigeria would also help Ghana and Senegal create their own federations.
This interest in West Africa for a discipline, admittedly Olympic but little publicized, may surprise. However, for Jean-Pierre Bauduin, creator and host of the specialist website France Curling, there is no reason not to take it seriously. “World Curling will do everything it can to promote curling in Nigeria and Africa in general. “We have had similar examples with Brazil and Mexico,” he says. Curling in hot countries may surprise, but that’s what makes it so charming. In Brazil, walking on the ice is already an experience! He added: “Nigeria’s project is valid. He’s going to get the country talking and Nigerians don’t have to be ashamed to compete internationally, even though the first team is more Canadian than Nigerian.
