President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday warned any official who has no business at the Olympics taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to stay at home to cheer the team or be ready to sponsor his or her trip there.
Buhari made this known when he received the team ahead of the Games which kicks off next month.
He explained that this became imperative due to the “nation’s dwindling revenue and the current global economic challenges.”
“It is therefore imperative that funds provided for the Games are utilized judiciously. In this regard, any official who has no business at the Games should stay at home to cheer the team from here and if they must travel to the Olympics, they should do so at their own expense,” the President said further.
Buhari assured the contingent that the “Federal Government is fully committed” to their “successful participation in the Rio Olympic Games” and will make sure that “funds budgeted for the Games are released without further delay.”
He urged the Nigerian team to “keep the integrity of our nation intact by competing clean and fair at the Olympic Games” and stay away from drug use.
“Please bring as many medals back home as a result of your efforts and endeavour. But remember it is more important to compete and acquit your country as a fair sporting nation than to bring a pack of medals as a result of bending the rules and denying the Games of fair competition,” he stressed.
The President assured the team of “the support of over 170 million sports-loving Nigerians who are solidly behind you as you depart to bring glory to our fatherland in Rio.”
The Games kicks off on August 5 and ends on 21. Nigeria has 49 qualified male athletes and 29 female athletes in 10 sport disciplines.
