NOC clears air on Team Nigeria ‘double’ Olympic kits
The International Olympic Committee has authorised Actively Black uniforms for Team Nigeria to wear at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11. This information was released by the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
It was shocking to see that, in addition to the performance gear and track suits that Actively Black had unveiled for Team Nigeria last week, the athletes were also given another set of Peak-made uniforms on Monday during the handover ceremony between the NOC and the Ministry of Sports Development.
A personalised travel bag for the players was included in the released Peak uniforms, which also brought up memories of the scandal that rocked Team Nigeria in Tokyo 2020.
According to Latifat Adewa, drama is another Team Nigeria Olympic kit was unveiled in Abuja. I just stumbled on the presentation on Instagram, mainly tracksuit and modelled by Ese Brume. This one is made by Peak and not Actively Black from a week ago. What is going on at the NOC?”
"To be honest, I don't understand these individuals. Perhaps Peak represents Team Nigeria as a whole, and Actively Black manufactures track and field uniforms. Manlo Etuk said, "I can't even believe we're doing this again."
"This is the same old Puma and AFA sports disaster."
Following the uncertainty, the NOC Secretary-General, Tunde Popoola, announced that Actively Black is the official kit recognised by the IOC, and the Peak outfits issued by the ministry would just be extra wear for the participants.
Popoola informed our correspondent, "It's a very simple thing, but it will appear confusing to the public."
"The government also believed that before transferring to the NOC, they should provide equipment and supplies to the athletes. It’s not a bad idea for them to have those ones as well.
"On paper, only the registered one—Actively Black—may be used during the Games in accordance with Olympic regulations. However, that does not preclude the nation from offering more kits.
"Athletes benefit from having more kits, too."
In the meantime, the ministry of sports has declared that 87 individuals will compete for Team Nigeria in 12 different sports during the Paris Games.
The ministry's breakdown shows that 35 athletes, 18 women's football players, 12 women's basketball players, 6 wrestlers, 4 table tennis players, 3 boxers, 2 athletes each for canoeing, weightlifting, and aquatic sports, and 1 athlete for cycling will represent Nigeria in athletics.
In addition, Nigeria will compete in four different Paralympic sports, which will be held from August 28 to September 8. The country has a strong history of success, having won 40 gold, 19 silver and 21 bronze medals, totaling 80 medals.
