3rd May, 2012
In a bid to motivate Nigerian athletes (Team Nigeria) to perform at their best at the London 2012 Olympics, the Chairman of National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has promised the athletes of a bumper financial reward at the Games.
Abdullahi, who is also the Supervising Minister of Sports said this during a media chat in his office in Abuja, while disclosing that the Federal Government has released the sum of N1.9 billion to the Ministry of Sports and National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure a smooth preparation and Nigeria’s success in London.
According to him: “Let me inform you that the Team Nigeria’s preparations for the 2012 London Olympics has received a big boost with the Federal Government released of about N1.9 billion to the Sports Commission for preparations for the Games.
“As a part of our arrangements to compete favourably, we will be giving special incentives to the athletes that distinguished themselves at the Games. I can assure you that the incentives are unprecedented in the history of Nigeria’s participation in the Games.”
He further revealed that unlike previous pre-Olympics where funds had always hindered preparation for the Games, said this time the commission had gone out of its way to source for funds for a successful participation of Team Nigeria.
“Definitely, funding has been a major challenge for preparations for the Olympics. But we keep creating strategies to ensure that our athletes are continueing their preparation.
“Hence, despite the challenge, we continue to create opportunities for them. I must commend the federations chairmen, especially the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, who have been seeking various ways to keep preparation machine rolling.
“If we had continued to wait for funding until now, especially with less that 100 days to the Olympics, we cannot expect any good result.
“Having said that, we are glad for the eventual release of funds by the Federal Government as it will ensure that Team Nigerian records a good outing at the Olympics,”Abdullahi noted.
—Bamidele Olowosagba