04:35Skier sets up crowdfunder to represent Nigeria in Winter Games
Franco-Nigerian cross-country skier Samuel Ikpefan showed off his skills around a ski run in Lyon 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 Games, he will be the first Nigerian cross-country skier to do so. The athlete has previously represented Nigeria in competitions such as the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2021.
The 2022 Winter Games are set to take place between November 4 and 20.
04:35Franco-Nigerian cross-country skier Samuel Ikpefan showed off his skills around a ski run in Lyon 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 Games, he will be the first Nigerian cross-country skier to do so. The athlete has previously represented Nigeria in competitions such as the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2021.
The 2022 Winter Games are set to take place between November 4 and 20.