The House of Representatives on Wednesday in Abuja donated the sum of N100 million to support the athletes representing Nigeria at the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, France.
The House Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, announced the donation during a special plenary session which had in attendance the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh.
The event was also witnessed by some Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) officials and some athletes.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Abbas urged all stakeholders to make sacrifices to ensure that the athletes put in their best performances.
The Speaker said any investment in sports was an investment in national unity, job-creation and several opportunities for the Nigerian youth.
“We have decided to set the ball rolling with this donation and we are using this opportunity to call on all sports lovers to follow suit, because sports unites us as a nation.
“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to emulate this gesture of the House and support our athletes.
“We urge the private sector to also make Nigeria proud by making these athletes comfortable when they go to get us the many medals that we are expecting,” he said.
Abass recalled that Nigeria since 1996 was yet to win a gold medal at the Olympics, and said there was a need to change the narrative.
He said the Paris 2024 Games presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to change the narrative and make history once again.
The Speaker urged the athletes to put in their best performances, represent the values of Nigeria very well and bring home gold medals.
“Let us seize this moment to reclaim our place at the top and bring home the gold medals that our country so eagerly anticipate as we participate at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
“We are confident in your abilities and are certain that the memories of this session will remain fresh in your minds and spur you on to achieve record-breaking performances.
“Go to Paris with a clear mindset, with dedication and determination to surpass our previous records.
“We believe in you. We know you will make us proud as you embark on this significant journey,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, commended the House for the initiative to host and support the athletes ahead of the Games.
He said the athletes had never been so honoured as to be hosted in the House chambers.
The Minister said the House members should let the conversation and engagements continue, saying the event of Wednesday should not be a one-off event.
He said there was the need to drive sports activities even at the grassroots so as to keep youths in the rural areas busy and to keep them away from crime.
Enoh said the sports sector was one sector which brings recognition and respect for Nigeria on the global stage.
He disclosed that majority of Nigeria’s Olympics 2024 athletes were already in camp in Germany while the Paralympics 2024 athletes were still in the local camps.
The Minister said Nigeria would compete in 12 sports at the Olympics and four at the Paralympics with 90 athletes and 30 athletes respectively.
Enoh then assured that all the fund generated though the intervention of the House would be strictly directed to the welfare of the athletes.
NAN reports that the 2024 Olympic Games will hold from July 26 to Aug. 11, while the Paralympic Games will hold from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, both in Paris.