Nigeria to train in Surrey ahead of the 2012 Games

The Nigerian Olympic team are set to base themselves in Surrey as they prepare for the London 2012 Games.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Surrey County Council and the Nigerian National Olympic Committee (NOC), which could see top Nigerian athletes training at venues such as the Surrey Sports Park and the Guildford Spectrum.

At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Nigeria was awarded with Silver medals in the men’s Football competition and also received a further three bronze medals in other competitions.

This could be an exciting opportunity for Surrey to assist in the training of potential medallists at the 2012 Games.

Cllr Denise Saliagopoulos

Speaking of this exciting news, Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos said:

"It's fantastic news that another Olympic team is about to sign up to be based in Surrey.

"The County Council has been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to sell Surrey as the best place for Olympic and Paralympic teams to base themselves in the run-up to and during the 2012 Games.

"Outstanding facilities such as Surrey Sports Park and Guildford Spectrum make it an attractive place to stay. Each Olympic and Paralympic organising committee has £25,000 to spend on their training for the Games which will benefit the local economy if they choose Surrey."

Tunde Popoola

Tunde Popoola, Secretary General of the NOC, said: "It's an excellent place with modern facilities, world class coaches that will assist our coaches and athletes, and health and medical support to put them in tip-top form.

"Our number one priority is to ensure that Team Nigeria have the best possible preparation environment to be able to excel at the Games.

"That is why we want the best environment for them, and Surrey is ideal."