22nd Commonwealth Games: Confident Team Nigeria Dazzles At Colourful Opening Ceremony
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Boosted by the impressive showing of gold and bronze medallists, Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume, at the just-concluded World Athletics Championship in Oregon, United States, glamorous Team Nigeria dazzled the cheering crowd at the 22nd Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday night.
With pomp and pageantry, Team Nigeria had Nnamdi Chinecherem Prosper, Oluwafemiayo Folashade and Mike Edwards as the flag bearers, and the contingent looked radiant and ready to go for honours in their simple but fitting white and green regalia.
Inspiringly, Afrobeats from Nigeria rented the air inside the Alexander stadium as the ceremony commenced with drummer-percussionist, Abraham Paddy Tetteh on display while Indian classical vocalist and singer Ranjana Ghatak led the section that awesomely displayed the diversity of Birmingham City.
The march past by the 72 countries that are being represented by about 5,000 athletes at the Games was a spectacle to watch as Prince Charles of Wales stepped up, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth of England, to declare open proceedings amid thunderous ovation and exciting fireworks.
By the Games’ schedules, Nigeria flags off her medal quest today, Friday, July 29, 2022 with action in the Men’s and Women’s Table Tennis team events.
Commonwealth gold and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, Blessing Oborodudu is Team Nigeria’s Captain to this year’s Games. She will be assisted by one of Nigeria’s leading men power lifters, Nnamdi Innocent.
A total of 72 teams from 54 countries and 18 territories that make up the Commonwealth are slated to vie for honours in 20 sports and multiple events at the Games which will run for the next 11 days in Birmingham.
