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...
Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor 'Blackmailed To Spot-Fix Matches After...
Woods finishes programme to help him manage medication...
Liverpool target Nabil Fekir staying at Lyon
What Ogunbote’s Return Means To Sunshine Stars
Man United Legend Schmeichel Opens Up On ‘Regret’...
UEFA Opens Disciplinary Probe Into Super League Against...

Portugal plot Nigeria pre-World Cup friendly
Nigeria host Uzbekistan in 2026 Davis Cup play-off
NFF reduces Remo home ban to five games
Zambia fire Falcons warning ahead WAFCON 2026
Itauma not ready for Usyk — Ex-champ Nelson
Nigeria wouldn’t miss 2026 W’Cup under me – Pinnick
Portugal Plan Friendly Against Super Eagles Ahead of 2026 World Cup
They’re very good players – Osimhen on Galatasaray interest in Lookman, Pape Gueye
Six Nigerian stars secure Champions League knockout spots
Nigeria battle Guinea for handball World Cup ticket
Ajagba steps up prep for Martin fight
AFCON 2025 Final Fallout: CAF Suspends Coach, Players, Fines Two Federations
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,499 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,799 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,697 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,350 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,284 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,194 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,065 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,617 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,791 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,319 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,711 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,179 views)