Rio Olympics: Mikel To Captain Team Nigeria
John Mikel Obi[/caption]
Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has been named the Team Nigeria captain for next month’s Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.
The 29-year-old, who will be making his first appearance at an Olympic Games, was selected by the Nigeria sports ministry, which noted that he is regarded as “a role model to the upcoming athletes.”
Obi is one of the three over-aged players invited to the national U-23 football team for the Games, which commences August 5, 2016.
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Table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, who will be making her sixth appearance at the Olympics, is the assistant team captain.
According to the sports ministry, the duo were selected because of their consistency, patriotism and dedication to national assignments.
A statement from the Sports Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Nneka Ikem -Anibeze, reads: “Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of international status and we believe he will be a role model to the upcoming athletes while Funke Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team.
“We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to TEAM NIGERIA and project the country’s image positively to the world.”
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The Dream Team VI is expected to depart for Rio from Atlanta USA on July 29. Other athletes are to leave Nigeria on August 1.
