ABUJA – Tunde Popoola, the Secretary-General, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), on Monday said all the Nigerian athletes at the just-concluded 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland deserve commendation from all fellow countrymen.
A total of 127 athletes, made up of 65 male and 62 female, represented Nigeria at the Games tagged “Glasgow 2014’’.
Popoola told NAN that the athletes need to not only be commended but supported because they worked very hard to ensure that the country’s flag flew high at the Games.
“The athletes have done very well and have shown a lot of commitment, maturity and sincerity of purpose by putting Nigeria first.
“They gave it their very best, finishing in eighth position overall, and doing so out of 71 countries is quite a commendable performance.
“They also set so many records, including Commonwealth, Personal Best and Season Best records.
“I believe with more support, commitment and funding, Nigeria will do much better in subsequent editions and especially at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro,’’ he said.
Popoola also praised Okagbare for making history by becoming the first Nigerian to win the double sprint gold medals in the Commonwealth Games.[eap_ad_2]
He commended Emmanuel Uduaghan and Seriake Dickson, governors of Delta and Bayelsa respectively, for their relentless support for athletes from their states who represented Nigeria at the international sports competition.
“The Governor of Delta was there in Glasgow to support his state’s athletes. So also was the Governor of Bayelsa who came to personally support the wrestlers who are from his state,’’ the NOC Secretary-General said.
He also said Team Nigeria needed to be celebrated by President Goodluck Jonathan as part of his love for excellence in sports.
“These deserving athletes who have done well for their fatherland need to be supported, received and celebrated by not only the President, but by all Nigerians,’’ Popoola said.
NAN reports that the Games, which was in its 20th edition, had began on July 23 and ended on Aug. 3.(NAN)[eap_ad_3]
