Ahead 2012 London Olympics: Don’t Starve Team Nigeria Of Funds; Bada Charges Authorities

Technical Director of Athletic Federation Of Nigeria, AFN, Sunday Bada, has appealed to the Sports Ministry and the National Assembly to ensure that funds are released early for the preparation of Team Nigeria for next year’s London Olympics on time.

Bada said it is necessary for the federation to get the funds on time to ensure that the nation’s athletes have proper preparation for the Olympics. He added that the nation may not live up to expectations if the funds for the preparation come late.

“National Assembly and the Sports Ministry should expedient action on the release of funds for us to prepare our athletes for London’s Games. I am talking about funds for training not the competition grant. The authorities should please help the federation and athletes to prepare for the Olympics,” he said.

Bada also tasked the Sports Ministry on good welfare package for the nation’s athletes, saying the gesture will help boost the morale of the athletes while representing the nation.

“They need to show concern on the welfare of our athletes. By doing so, it will encourage them to put in their best while on national duties and the nation will benefit a lot from it,” he said.

Meanwhile, chairman, House Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya, has absolved the House from the blame over the delaying in releasing of funds to prosecute training programme of the federation. Gaiya said lawmakers’ duty is to scrutinize the budget of the executive, while the implementation lies with the executive arm of the government. He, however, assured the federation of speedy ventting of the budget to avoid late releasing of funds by the executive for the training programme.

— Olusegun Abidoye