Two-time Olympian Samuel Ikpefan has called for stronger institutional and financial backing to unlock Africa’s untapped potential in winter sports.
Ikpefan made the appeal after completing his campaign in cross-country skiing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where he represented Nigeria as the country’s sole athlete and served as the national flagbearer.
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Reflecting on his experience at the Games, Ikpefan said the journey highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing African athletes competing in winter sports.
“Competing at the Olympics shows what is possible, but it also reveals the difficulties athletes from Africa face,” Ikpefan said.
The skier disclosed that his path to the Olympics required significant personal sacrifice, including working multiple jobs to finance his training and competition schedule.
“I had to juggle different jobs and support much of my training myself,” he revealed.
Despite the challenges, Ikpefan believes Africa has the talent to compete on the global winter sports stage if the right structures are put in place.
“There is enormous potential across Africa,” he noted. “With proper support, many athletes could compete at the highest level.”
He stressed the importance of creating sustainable systems that include athlete education, infrastructure development, and financial backing.
“We need investment in training programmes, coaching, and long-term development,” he explained.
Ikpefan also urged international sports bodies to collaborate with African federations to expand opportunities for winter athletes.
“Global organisations can play a key role in helping Africa grow in winter sports,” he added.
Looking ahead, the Olympian remains optimistic about the future. “If we build the right structures now, African nations can develop competitive winter athletes and establish a lasting presence in these sports,” Ikpefan concluded.
