Skier sets up crowdfunder to represent Nigeria in Winter Games

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Franco-Nigerian cross-country skier Samuel Ikpefan showed off his skills around a ski run on Monday, while sharing the story of his challenge, in which he hopes to crowdfund his appearance on behalf of the Nigerian Ski Federation at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
“The (Nigerian) Sports Ministry did not allocate money for the various winter sports federations. We aren’t the only federation, there are many federations. There are curling, bobsleigh and cross-country skiing,” explained Ikpefan.
“We are trying to deal with this in our own way using our own knowledge, word of mouth and such. I don’t have a lot of resources myself, I have a job on the side so I came up with this idea of crowdfunding,” added Ikpefan.
The athlete’s crowdfunding campaign, hosted on the ‘Leetchi’ portal, has to date secured him €270 ($305 or £230) from 16 sponsors.
A total goal of €18,000 ($23,310 or £15,370) has been set by Ikpefan for the campaign.
“Since I started skiing when I was 6 years old, I have always wanted to represent either France or my second country, Nigeria. Initially, obviously since I was born here, I grew up here and began skiing here, I tried to get into the French team,” said Ikpefan.
“Unfortunately, my childhood dream (of entering France’s team) could not be accomplished but eventually I was able to get a second chance with my father’s country (Nigeria). So I’m very proud because at home I always grew up around two cultures: the European and the African one,” added Ikpefan.
Should Ikpefan be successful with reaching the Winter Olympics, he will be the first Nigerian cross-country skier to do so. The athlete has previously represented Nigeria in FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2021.
The 2022 Winter Games are set to take place between November 4 and 20.

SOT, Samuel Ikpefan, Skier (French): “The (Nigerian) Sports Ministry did not allocate money for the various winter sports federations. We aren’t the only federation, there are many federations. There are curling, bobsleigh and cross-country skiing. So we are trying to deal in our own way using our own knowledge, word of mouth and such. I don’t have a lot of resources myself, I have a job on the side so I came up with this idea of crowdfunding.”

SOT, Samuel Ikpefan, Skier (French): “It’s something that gives me pride. Since I started skiing when I was 6 years old, I have always wanted to represent either France or my second country, Nigeria. Initially, obviously since I was born here, I grew up here and began skiing here, I tried to get into the French team.”

SOT, Samuel Ikpefan, Skier (French): “Unfortunately, my childhood dream (of entering France’s team) could not be accomplished but eventually I was able to get a second chance with my father’s country (Nigeria). So I’m very proud because at home I always grew up around two cultures: the European and the African one. So for me, for my ancestors, for my country and even for the continent, it’s a real sense of pride to have someone representing them (Nigeria) in a winter sport where you don’t expect them to show up. Obviously skiing isn’t the first sport, there is no snow but for me it’s a great sense of pride because it gives them a bit of hope and it shows that it can be done.”

#Nigeria #CrossCountrySkiing #WinterGames #SamuelIkpefan

Video ID: 20211213-051

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