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Despite visa setbacks, the Nigerian team at the Invictus Games in Vancouver secured six medals, showcasing resilience and determination on the world stage
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Nigeria is the first African nation to participate in the Invictus Games and will compete in the next edition in Birmingham, UK, in 2027
Some injured Nigerian military personnel have returned from the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada, bringing home multiple medals despite facing visa challenges.
The team was welcomed on Wednesday by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military officials at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel, both serving and veterans. It was founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, after he visited the Warrior Games in the U.S. in 2013.
Ahead of the event, Prince Harry visited Nigeria in 2024, where the Defence Chief hosted him. However, General Musa could not travel to Canada for the games after being denied a visa.
Speaking at the welcome event, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Nanjuly Kumzhi, the Director of Sports, highlighted that Nigeria was the first and only African nation to participate in the games. He confirmed that Nigeria would also compete in the next edition in Birmingham, UK, in 2027.
Despite being invited with a 25-member team, the Canadian High Commission in Abuja granted visas to only 14 members. These included the team captain and physiotherapist, whose absence initially dampened morale.
AVM Kumzhi revealed that the team won six medals, including:
- 1 Gold
- 1 Silver
- 4 Bronze
“Despite the unfair treatment from the embassy, our team still performed excellently, returning home with six medals,” he stated.
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