Nigeria officially has its first bobsled team, all thanks to the team’s crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe. The team, which consists of female athletes Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, and Akuoma Omeoga, launched the initiative in January, seeking $75,000 so that they could get the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Adigun revealed on the GoFundMe page more details about the team’s development:
“Since I was a child, my passion for sports has truly been unmatched. I was convinced I would be the first woman in the NBA, but eventually softened those ambitions to focus on a more natural talent – sprinting. I competed in track & field for University of Houston, and went on to become a three-time 100m hurdle Nigerian National Champion and 2012 Olympian for the country. To this day, I don’t know why I did not make the announcement of my retirement from track in 2012, but in 2015 the professional athlete in me was revived. By 2016, I was inspired to start the Nigerian Women’s Bobsled team in hopes of being the first ever African representative, men or women, to qualify for the Winter Olympic Games in the sport of Bobsled.
“Starting the Nigerian Women’s Bobsled team was not an easy decision, but I know it will be one of the most impactful things I will ever initiate. The fate of Nigeria’s eligibility to be represented in the 2018 Winter Olympics rests exclusively on my ability to qualify as a competent driver. I decided to accept this responsibility and recruited two wonderful young women, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga, as my brakemen.”
Funds from the GoFundMe campaign will be used for the following:
A bobsled for practice and competition- Sled Runners (blades on the base)
- Tools for the sled
- Ice time (for learning how to drive)
- Cost of shipping the sled to different tracks
- Transportation, lodging, travel expenses for the team
- Winter gear (shoes, jackets, spikes, travel bags, etc) for the team
- Team Competition gear (helmets, uniforms, practice gear, etc)
- Athlete insurance for the team
- Misc. (registration and membership fees)
Adigun then added:
“Although I am spearheading the team, this movement has grown to be far larger than me or any one person. The success of this bobsled team will positively affect millions of people all over the world and will represent monumental international advancements in social, athletic, and economic statuses. Together, we can demonstrate that nothing is impossible with a little faith, support and willingness to persevere.”
Have a crowdfunding offering you'd like to share? Submit an offering for consideration using our Submit a Tip form and we may share it on our site!