Prince Albert's Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka (far left) will be one of three people from Saskatchewan at the World Medical Soccer Championships in July. (Submitted/ Nnamdi Ndbuka)

By Nigel Maxwell

Soccer

Prince Albert physician to represent Canada at World Medical Soccer championships

Feb 29, 2024 | 3:00 PM

A Prince Albert area physician is trading in his stethoscope for a pair of cleats.

Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka, medical health officer for the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA), is one of three Saskatchewan doctors who will represent Canada at the World Medical Soccer Championships this July in Australia.

The selection camp was held earlier this month in Orange County, California.

“I’ve been playing soccer my whole life. As a Nigerian we play soccer from a very young age,” Ndubuka told paNOW.

While in Prince Albert, in addition to playing recreational soccer with the men’s league, Ndubuka also coaches with the Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association. Describing the opportunity to play for Team Canada as fulfilling and an honour, he said it’s also an opportunity to motivate other young players.

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“[To show them] there’s always opportunities for growth in their aspirations to play at different levels beyond their environment,” he said.

The annual World Medical Soccer Championships will feature 24 countries and last year in Vienna, Canada finished sixth.

In addition to the friendly competition on the field, the physicians will also attend a sports medical conference.

“So meeting with colleagues and having fun playing the game, it’s a great experience to look forward to,” he said.

Joining Dr. Ndubuka in Australia will be Dr. Ross Kerkhoff, a Family Physician from Moosomin, and Dr. Segun Oyedokun, an Emergency Medicine Physician in Saskatoon.

Canada is scheduled to host the 2026 championship after the FIFA World Cup matches in Vancouver.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell