NOC President Urges Nigerian Athletes to Adapt to Local Cuisine at African Schools Games

President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, has called on Nigerian athletes participating in the inaugural 2025 African Schools Games in Algeria to adapt swiftly to the local cuisine being served at the event.

The Africa Schools Games, hosted in Annaba, is the first edition of the continental youth sporting event organised by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), and features young athletes from across the continent competing in a variety of sports disciplines.

During a visit to the Games Village at the University of El Boni, Gumel — who doubles as Secretary General of ANOCA and Nigeria’s sole representative on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) — addressed Team Nigeria athletes, encouraging them to embrace the diverse food options provided by the hosts.

“I understand many of you miss traditional Nigerian meals like garri, amala, ogbono, egusi, and afang soup,” Gumel said. “But these are not readily available here. We must improvise and adjust.”

Gumel noted that the meals being served had been approved by ANOCA as a “universal continental menu”, and encouraged the athletes to view the experience as part of their growth as international competitors.

“As international athletes, we must accept our new status. In preparing for such events, we should incorporate continental cuisine into our training camps so we’re not caught off guard,” he added.

Gumel’s comments come amid reports that some athletes have been skipping meals due to unfamiliarity with the food, raising concerns among officials about its potential impact on performance.

Team Nigeria’s psychologist, Dr. Robinson Okosun, who is part of the support staff in Algeria, also weighed in, warning that poor nutrition could compromise the athletes’ health and competitive edge.

“We must eat to remain strong, not to lose strength,” said Okosun, who previously worked with Nigeria’s delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“Our bodies need fuel to perform. If we neglect our diet, we risk illness and fatigue, which could undermine team spirit and overall performance.”

Dr. Okosun emphasized the importance of balanced nutrition and advised athletes to develop coping strategies for such dietary adjustments in future competitions.

The Africa Schools Games continue this week with Team Nigeria competing across multiple disciplines, as the nation’s rising talents aim to leave their mark on the continental stage — both on and off the field.