By Tony Nezianya
Ànnaba (Algeria), July 27, 2025 — Engr Habu Ahmed Gumel, the president of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), has appealed to the Nigerian athletes competing in the maiden Africa Schools Games in Algeria to quickly adapt to the food on offer by Algeria, the host country.
This is the maiden Africa Schools competition being organised by ANOCA, the African Olympic Committee.
Continental dishes are on offer. The organisers, the Association of the National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), have approved the dishes as the best universal meal.
”I know you crave Garry, Amala and various rich soups – Mea Kwuka. Ogbono, Egusi, Afang and Onugbu soups. All these details are not here. Let’s all improvise,” Gumel, the lone Nigerian member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said during his visit to the athletes at the Games Village located within the University El Boni, Ànnaba, Algeria.
He added, “If other countries have accepted these meals, we should adopt them. We are now international athletes, no longer local athletes. We should accept our new status as internationals.
“I want to assure you that, in preparing for international events of this nature, we must incorporate continental cuisine in our camping diet so that we do not feel lost when we encounter shock when we are exposed to such meals.
“A few athletes have been skipping meals because they did not contain the dishes they are used to in Nigeria.”
The Psychologist, Dr. Robinson Okosun, echoed similar sentiments about the athletes in his daily interactions and coaching of athletes.
“We have to eat to stay strong, not to lose weight. We must ensure balance at all times. The enzymes in our bodies must act on something,” said Dr Okosun, referring to Nigeria’s team for the Tokyo Olympics.
“Eating will help us to stem illness.
“Our opponents can capitalise on our weakness to wreck our team spirit,” Okosun said.
