The Nigeria Athletes Commission, NAC, has vowed to get things right this time as they finally go to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, holding from this month in Paris, France.
Their declaration was made known as the captains of the various sports federations and Nigeria Olympic Committee, Athletes Commission came together for their virtual meeting, June 29, 2024.
A communiqué released after the meeting showed palpable excitement and anticipation as the meeting lasted.
The Commission puts on record its deep sense of appreciation to the distinguished leadership of our great nation: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Sports Minister; NOC President; and Permanent Secretary, for their immense support and inputs that made the African Games in Accra, Ghana, a Resounding Success.
Of course, it was proud of Team Nigeria’s patriotism and competitive spirit, which had ensured top-podium performances and won for their nation.
Commitment shown by the Minister towards ensuring timely payment of allowances and bonuses due to all athletes who represented at the African Games was highly commended. On its part, the Commission pledged to continue doing everything possible to ensure that such outstanding payments were completed.
As attention shifted to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the commission maintained that preparations would immediately be put on top gear.
Adequate camping and training tours had been worked out, and really, the commission had opened discussion with the Sports Ministry on the issues of medical insurance, befitting Team Nigeria kit, and welfare packages for the athletes.
That was the expectation, particularly when it became clear that the commission’s annual Athletes Forum was billed to hold from July 8 to July 9, 2024, in Abuja—an understandably packed forum that would sort out some of these pending issues bordering on their lives as athletes and what to do after active sports careers, how to market themselves, retirement benefits, insurance packages for athletes, among others.
The commission also asked for increased cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Sports Development’s FEAD to secure better treatment and assistance for the athletes.
The atmosphere was filled, as the evening wore on, by a sense of restoration, revival, and purpose.
The Captains of the Federations, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee Athletes Commission, knew that history was beckoning unto them to lead their team back home to glory at the world’s biggest sporting stage – the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The communique was jointly signed by three officials – Joseph Udale, Blessed Onyeali, Grace.