Tuesday, 28 June 2016

OLYMPICS: Dalung assures foreign tours for athletes

THE Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung says the second phase of camping of athletes to the Rio Olympic Games will start soon.

Barrister Dalung made the statement while answering questions from journalists at a conference to mark the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held at the City hall in Lagos.


He said that despite remarks that the ministry was not doing much to prepare the athletes for the games, the Ministry was working tirelessly to ensure that funds were provided for athletes to embark on foreign training camping to polish their skills in places with comparative advantage.

"We have done much in the present situation.  We came third in the Africa Athletics Championships in Durban, South Africa and we have so far produced seventy- four athletes who will be competing favourably in eight different sports at the Olympics. 

"They have just finished the first phase of camping and we are getting ready for the second phase which will be held externally where they will now meet with other contending athletes who are expected in Rio. So, we are quite confident about what we have done so far".

On Nigeria's chances of winning medals in Rio, the Minister said he was confident that athletes will post better records than before.

"The Olympics is not all about winning. It is a global event. That you participated in it alone, is a gold medal itself", Dalung said.


The Olympic Games start from August 5 -21, 2016 in Rio.

No comments:

Post a Comment