World Relay: NSC DG Olapade boosts athletes morale with assurance of presidential largesse
By Uzor Odigbo
The National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General Bukola Olapade has assured Team Nigeria athletes of presidential benefit if they perform creditably at the World Relay Championship in Gaborone, Botswana.
Addressing a cross section of athletes and officials, the NSC DG reiterated that Nigeria used to be a great contender in relay events and demanded that athletes should live up to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s expectations in this world event.
“If you perform well, the President will do his own as you also know that every victory attracts national honour with $100.000 USD attached. I urge you to do well and make yourselves and the nation proud.”
Olapade also remembered athletes such as Deji Aliyu, Yusuf Alli, Falilat Ogunkoya and others he described as allies who had and still continued to applaud their contributions to positive national image through their brilliant performance in the past international sports competitions.
He urged athletes to take the opportunity open to them to excel, insisting that their qualifications in the relay championship that begins on May 2nd will see them run at the Commonwealth Games, World Athletics Championship and more.
The athletes who arrived on Monday from Nigeria have been preparing for the championship with more emphasis on swift baton exchange and eye contact.
Coaches led by AFN TD Gabriel Okon and a few officials including, AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa, Former AFN boss, Solomon Ogba, Deli Aliyu, loads of spectators, interest groups and athletics sympathisers from Nigeria.
