By Daily Sports on August 7, 2016
The non-arrival of Team Nigeria’s official ceremonial outfits in Rio de Janeiro, which ‘forced’ athletes to appear in tracksuits during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics Games Friday, has sparked a controversy between top officials of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) and the sports ministry.
Team Nigeria members were to wear official attires during their parade at Maracana Stadium for the opening ceremony. But this did not happen.
Rather, the athletes came out in tracksuits, an appearance that took many sports-loving Nigerians by surprise. There were reports yesterday that the attires made for Team Nigeria for the opening ceremony could not make it to the Olympics Games venue in Rio.
While some Nigerians voiced their anger on various sports programmes on radio and television, other took to social media to express their disappointment. They call for immediate probe of the circumstances that led to the embarrassment.
Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, an official of the NOC claimed ignorance of the attires made for Team Nigeria for the opening ceremony.
However, The Guardian was able to get across to the NOC President, Engr. Habu Gumel, in Rio at about 2:30 p.m. (Nigerian time), and he responded by saying: “I am going into a meeting with the Honourable minister now. I will get back to you soon.”
Gumel never called back as he promised. He also refused to pick subsequent calls put across to him by The Guardian.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki has been reported to have called for investigation into the circumstances behind the Dream Team’s delayed departure from Atlanta to Brazil for the Rio Olympic Games.
•Photo shows Team Nigeria athletes during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Source Daily Sports
Posted August 7, 2016
You may also like...
Tunisia look to book Russia 2018 ticket against...
Sanchez cleared to enter US
Arsenal Remain Keen On Onana
Mikel Impressed with Super Eagles’ Performance
Mikel, Nwakaeme Lead Trabzonspor To Victory
Chelsea Propose Increase To Nine Premier League Substitutes...

EPL: Arteta backs Gabriel Jesus to become Arsenal’s first-choice striker
Joshua, Paul fight scripted – Wilder
Salah in Liverpool squad for Brighton match
AFCON: Man United uncertain about Mbeumo, Mazraoui, Diallo availability
Idongesit brothers set for Fencing Junior W’Cup in Uzbekistan
NWFL punishes Ekiti Queens over refs assault
Ikpokpo backs Niger Delta Games to unveil new talents
Boxing veteran doubts Joshua–Paul clash will happen
Daniel Ford table tennis tourney adds cadet event
Khan warns Paul ahead ‘life-threatening’ Joshua fight
Emery's perseverance & belief key to Villa resurgence
Agu backs Okoye for Eagles No. 1 spot
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,407 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,660 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,594 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,237 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,202 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,113 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,956 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,540 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,688 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,230 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,624 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,101 views)