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.
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