THOUSANDS of diasporans are preparing for the eight edition of the annual Nigerian Schools Foundation (NSF) annual sports family and fun day taking place over the bank holiday weekend on Saturday August 24 in London.
A gathering of all the Nigerian secondary schools, the event brings them altogether to take part in athletics and includes entertainment and a display of culture. This year’s event is taking place at the Allianz Park Sports Arena on Greenlands Lane in Hendon, in north London, NW4 1RL, which serves as home to the world famous Saracens Rugby Club.
Back in 2012, the inaugural NSF sports and family fun day took place at the end of the London Olympics and since then has grown to become a firm favourite in the summer calendar of most Nigerians in the UK. It is getting bigger and better every year, with the 2017 event attracting over 2,000 people of different nationalities, ages and backgrounds.
NSF chief operating officer Bimbo Babarinde, said: “Various representatives of Nigerian old school students associations’ participated and competed in the different athletic and family fun events, including the Principal’s Cup football tournament, relay races, tug-of -war, 100m, 200m, long jump, 4×100 m relays and catching the train amongst others. The event had live music entertainment, food and drink, exhibitions of a variety of businesses and charities.
“Nigerians from all over the world now attend the event as well as other nationalities who enjoy the sports and opportunity to socialise as well as to network. In recognition of its achievements, NSF won the coveted Outstanding Event of the Year’ Award in 2014 awarded by the Nigerian Events Award UK.”
Already, this year, Councillor Ernest Ezeajughi, the mayor of Brent has agreed to attend the event and open proceedings. NSF UK 2019 will be split into three segments, involving an adult and children 2km and 5km fun run taking place between 10.am and 1pm, other sporting activities between 1pm and 6pm and evening entertainment featuring exquisite Nigerian cuisine, drinks and live music between 6pm and 10pm.
