The Emory Sports Medicine Center is teaming up with the Nigerian Olympic soccer team to provide medical services and access to specific sports medicine-related treatment and care as the team trains in Atlanta for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The Nigerian Soccer team became the first African team to win a major world tournament with its victory over Argentina in the 1996 Olympic gold medal game in Atlanta. During the team's training in the coming weeks, Emory Sports Medicine will provide access to physicians, diagnostic imaging that includes MRI and X-rays, physical therapy, and outpatient surgery as needed.
“We are honored to provide medical services for such a dynamic world championship team,” says Oluseun Olufade, MD, assistant professor, in the Departments of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. “Our cutting-edge, research based treatments, and injury prevention education will prove beneficial in keeping the athletes in top-notch, quality condition.”
“Coming back to Atlanta 20 years after winning the gold medal will instill confidence in our team. The summer climate, which is similar to Rio’s, will allow the team to further build physically and mentally every day that we train,” says Samson Siasia, Nigeria’s head coach. “These factors, coupled with the quality service that our players will receive at Emory, will better prepare us to show what the Nigerian soccer team is capable of doing again on the world stage.”
“We are delighted that the team is able to collaborate with Emory Sports Medicine,” says Olubunmi Jinadu, president and CEO of United Soccer Africa. "Our goal is to establish pertinent relationships to better serve the soccer family and build their overall capacity in sports.”
In addition to sports medicine services, the team will also receive coordinated care as needed within other Emory departments.
The team will prepare at its first exhibition game vs the Charleston Battery on Saturday, July 16th at the Atlanta Silverbacks Stadium .
Additional ticket information is available at www.unitedsoccerafrica.com
About the Emory Sports Medicine Center
The Emory Sports Medicine Center is a leader in advanced treatments for patients with orthopaedic and sports-related injuries. From surgical sports medicine expertise to innovative therapy and athletic injury rehabilitation, our sports medicine physicians and specialists provide the most comprehensive treatment for athletic injuries in Atlanta and the state of Georgia.
About United Soccer Africa
United Soccer Africa (USA) is an integrated sports management group delivering value for African football federations and teams to North American communities. We develop and execute strategies aimed at supporting the football teams to maximize their potential and preparations for national and international sports competitions. By partnering with local organizations and NGO’S and sports properties in the USA, United Soccer Africa provides turnkey solutions that include Sports Medicine, performance, training and pre-season tours. Through the aforementioned, our goal is to promote Georgia as the prime destination for exhibitions, conferences, events and international competitions.