The Nigerian Curling Federation (NCF) has begun clearing land to build an ice rink so the country’s national team can practice the sport.
They say it will be the first curling arena in Africa.
A campaign to raise €6m to build it has also been launched.
"We have an abundance of enthusiasm, an abundance of athleticism, what we do lack is ice," said Tijani Cole, the NCF’s technical director, and member of the team, called "Broomzilla".
Nigeria joined the World Curling Federation in 2018.
Tijane Cole and his Canadian wife, Susana Cole tasted glory last year when they beat France 8-5 in a game at the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Norway, Africa’s first ever world curling victory.
The NCF now has 55 professional and nearly 900 registered curlers, the World Curling Federation says.
At present, they practice "dry curling" on surfaces designed to mimic ice.
The NCF says the arena will be built on around 3,000 sq m of land in Calabar, Cross River State.
Image: Tijane Cole and Canadian wife, Susana, after they beat France 8-5 during the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Norway (© WCF/Alina Pavlyuchik)
