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| Buhari with NOC members |
PRESIDENT
Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja said budget for the 2016 Rio Olympics would
be released on time to facilitate necessary preparations ahead of the Olympic
Games commencing from 5th to 21st August this year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The
president spoke at the official handover of Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Olympic
Committee (NOC) and his investiture as the Grand Patron of the body, and
seriously emphasized on the judicious use of the funds in view of the perilous
state of the nation’s economy...
Buhari also charged the athletes and their accompanying officials to be worthy ambassadors of the country, both on the field of play and outside the sporting arena knowing that they are bearing the image of the country.
“Let
me equally assure you that the Federal Government is fully committed to our
delegation’s successful participation in the Rio Olympic Games and will ensure
that funds budgeted for the Games are released without further delay.
“We
are all aware of our nation’s dwindling revenue and the current global economic
challenges. It is therefore imperative that funds provided for the games are
utilised judiciously.
“In
this regard, any official who has no business at the games should stay at home
to cheer the team from here and if they must travel to the Olympics, they should
do so at their own expense. Nigeria has 49 qualified male athletes and 29
female athletes, giving us a total of 78 athletes in 10 sport disciplines.
“It
is therefore the honour of the Federal Government to officially unveil the
qualified athletes of Team Nigeria to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“Aside
the sports that we have qualified for the Olympic Games, I have equally been
informed that our athletes have qualified athletes for the Paralympic Games,
which comes up immediately after the Olympic Games in Brazil.
“I
therefore want to use this opportunity to personally congratulate all these
worthy athletes on their qualifications for these Games, even in the face of
daunting challenges in their preparations.
“The
eyes of the global community are on you and as such, you should desist from
acts that could dent the image of our great country, Nigeria.
“You
are very aware of recent doping allegations which cast aspersions not only on
the individual athletes but on their home countries. Please keep Nigeria clean.
“The
menace of drug use in sports is threatening the core foundation of sports and
has led to embarrassing situations as well as sanctions of some great sporting
nations. I therefore urge you to keep the integrity of our nation intact by
competing clean and fair at the Olympic Games.
“Please
bring as many medals back home as a result of your efforts and endeavour. But
remember it is more important to compete and acquit your country as a fair
sporting nation than to bring a pack of medals as a result of bending the rules
and denying the Games of fair competition
“Finally,
let me assure you of the support of over 170 million sports-loving Nigerians
who are solidly behind you as you depart to bring glory to our fatherland in
Rio”, Buhari said.
In
response, the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, said that the president had
consistently supported the ministry in spite of the cash crunch facing the
country and pledged that it is time for reciprocation.
NOC
President, Habu Gumel, on his own assured President Buhari that the team would
be of good behaviour and put in their best at the Olympics.
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