A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Guildford between key representatives of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) and Surrey, cementing an agreement sealed in April, as first reported by insidethegames.

The agreement will see athletes representing Nigeria train and stay at key multi-sport venues in the county including the University of Surrey owned Surrey Sports Park and Guildford Spectrum, in preparation to the Games next year.

Beijing Olympic taekwondo bronze medallist Chika Chukwumerije and canoeist John Alinyemi were taken on a tour of the sporting facilities, along with Sani Ndanusa, President of the NOC. 

"It was pleasure to host the Nigerian Olympic delegation here today and we are very excited to have agreed to host Nigeria here in Surrey and at Surrey Sports Park," said Paul Blanchard, Surrey Sports Park chief executive.

"We believe our facilities and accommodation will offer the Nigerian athletes world-class preparation for what we hope will be a successful Games for the nation."

Endanusa said Surrey's training facilities and closeness to Olympic venues were key to the decision to base his country's athletes in the county and help them end a 16-year wait for a gold medal.

Their last gold medals were at Atlanta in 1996 when Chioma Ajunwa won the women's long jump and the men's football team beat Argentina in the final.

Nigeria were represented in ten sports at the Beijing 2008 Olympics as they sent a total of 52 individual competitors plus two football teams.

They won only three medals, a silver in the men's football and three bronze.

"At previous Olympic Games in Beijing and Athens we went there to perhaps participate only, but this time around of course we are competing," said Ndanusa.

"We are here to compete for medals, gold medals."

Nigeria is also hoping to make Newham, an Olympic Host Borough, the centre of its plans during the Games. 

They want to use Newham's Theatre Royal Stratford East, a 465-seating auditorium, and surrounding cultural quarter for general celebrations and to promote their film industry in conjunction with the Games. 

The space around the Theatre, known as the Cultural Quarter, will be used for marquees and tents. 

Newham has one of the biggest Nigerian populations in London.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2011: Team Nigeria to be based in Surrey for London 2012
January 2011: Nigeria to train at Loughborough University before London 2012