Nigeria’s Youth and Sports Minister,
Solomon Dalung, has apologized to players and officials of the country’s
Olympic football team for the circumstances that led to the
contingent’s late arrival in Brazil for the Men’s Olympic Football
Tournament Rio 2016.
Dalung, a conspicuous presence in the
stands as the 1996 champions pipped Europe’s best team Sweden in Manaus
on Sunday night to reach the tournament quarter –finals with a game to
spare, tendered his apology in the dressing room after the game at the
Arena Amazonia.
After hugging and exchanging
pleasantries with players and officials, Barrister Dalung said: “I want
to apologize for all the circumstances that led to your late arrival
here. I apologize because I am the head and as such I must take
responsibility for anything that happens under my watch.
“I’m happy you all have put the
unfortunate incident behind you and have shown that you are true heroes
by making the country proud with your qualification for the quarter
finals. This qualification is unique as you guys are the first team to
do so in the football event.”
Speaking further, the Sports Minister
disclosed: “I want to assure you that we appreciate your efforts, and I
want to say that it’s when a man faces challenges that his true ability
is tested. I am sure we all have learnt our lessons and will take the
lessons to heart going forward.”
Dalung then assured the players and
officials that all bonuses and allowances due to them will be paid, as
he recalled that the team faced similar challenges on the way to winning
the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal last year, which qualified
Nigeria for the Olympics.
Responding, team captain Mikel John Obi
assured Dalung that the team will not lose focus as their target is to
win the gold medal for Nigeria. The Sports Minister was in company with
Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary to Brazil, Adamu
Emozozo and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Chinyeaka
Ohaa.
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