The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, has urged Team Nigeria to win medals for the country during the 2022 Commonwealth Games as the games begin from July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Dare stated this at a dinner organised for Team Nigeria by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, at her residence in Abuja on Thursday.
The Sports Minister added that the past few months had sharpened and toughened the Nigerian athletes for the challenges ahead.
He said, “At the moment, some of the athletes are in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America for the World Athletics Championships. Before now, some were in Mauritius for the African Senior Athletics Championships.
“We will compete with determination and fairness. As a ministry, we have tried to provide resources as much as we can afford for our athletes to be well prepared and we are sure of great success.”
In her comment, the British High Commissioner Laing expressed delight at the opportunity to host Team Nigeria for a farewell reception.
She said, “I know the Team Nigeria athletes will make the nation proud. I know they have worked extremely hard, put in so many hours of training and competing to represent Nigeria.
“Birmingham is a modern and bustling metropolis and one of the most diverse cities as well as being a truly multicultural destination with thousands of Nigerians living there, so African and Nigerian delicacies would be within reach. I know say una go do well. Make una carry plenty of medals come o.”
The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Ahmed Gumel, also urged the Nigerian athletes to be good ambassadors.
He said, “I have confidence in Birmingham’s ability to host the rest of the Commonwealth successfully.
At the event, Nigeria is expected to compete in athletics, boxing, judo, wrestling, weightlifting, table tennis, para-athletics, para powerlifting, and para table tennis.
