Some sports enthusiasts say that Nigeria’s participation at the Paris 2024 Olympics will further unite the country in spite of the several challenges facing the country.
They made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Friday.
Smah George, Chairman Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Nasarawa State chapter, said the games unite the country irrespective of the challenges.
“Nigerian athletes in Paris can begin to cement their relationships and showcase the unity in the Nigerian camp for massive effect on Nigerians back home.
“So I see the Olympics is an important platform that will help strengthen our unity in spite of our differences and the numerous challenges we are currently facing as a nation,” he said.
Ali Abare, Special Assistant to Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Media, said that generally sports is a unifying factor and the Games will help deepen the unity among Nigerians.
He, however, added that the Nigerian contingent at the Olympics must endeavour to do well for the unity factor to easily sink into Nigerians at home.
“Nigerians tend to forget their differences and their challenges when they sit together to cheer our boys and girls during competitions to success.
“So sports, specifically this Olympics Games will do Nigeria a lot of good,” he said.
Eche Amos, Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Ministry for Youths and Sports Development, called the athletes to excel in their various sporting activities.
“Anytime we are excelling in any sporting event, our unity is deepened. You see people building relationships. They dine together, sit together and do many things together.
“You see employers and employees, people of different political affiliations, tribes and religions siting together just to support Nigeria. So sport is a powerful weapon of unity,” he said.
Leonard Abel, Secretary of SWAN Nasarawa State chapter said aside uniting Nigerians, the Olympics can help put smiles on the faces of Nigerians affected by the current economic challenges in the country.
“Initially not many people will show interest because of the hardships they are facing. But as the Olympics progresses and if Nigeria is doing well, Nigerians will embrace one another and forget their challenges.
“With what we are passing through in the country, we expect the Nigerian athletes to make us happy and win medals for the country,” he said. (NAN)
