By Uzor Odigbo
Sports Minister John Enoh on Tuesday tasked Nigeria’s contingent to the Africa Games taking place in Ghana to strive to win.
Speaking to the athletes onboard the aircraft scheduled to take them to Ghana for the tournament shortly before takeoff at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, the Minister assured them that the entire nation was solidly behind them.
Enoh further stated that although some of the athletes may be representing the country for the first time, the tournament affords them the opportunity to make the nation proud.
The Minister urged the departing athletes to build on the strong performance of the country in the previous games by posting a strong performance that will ensure that Nigeria emerges the best in Africa.
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“Let me remind you that you carry the hopes and aspirations of the entire country. As a government, the current administration will encourage you to excel without any hindrance,” he said.
The Minister promised to promptly pay all the allowances due to the athletes, stating that no athlete would be shortchanged.
The 12th All Africa Games took place in Rabat, Morocco in 2019 and Nigeria came second position, having won 46 gold medals, 33 silver medals and 48 bronze medals.
The first and the only time Nigeria topped the medal table was in 2003 when she hosted the games in Abuja.