Jonathan Showers N300m On Sports Stars
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, 8 October, 2014,
splashed over N300 million on athletes and their officials who made the
country proud at different international competitions in 2014.
Jonathan announced the cash rewards at a reception in honour of the 351 sports men and women at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Among the athletes were those who participated in the African Senior Athletics Championships in Marrakech, Morocco, and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, according to NAN report.
Others were participants in the African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana; the World Junior Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, and the 2014 FIFA Female U-20 Football World Cup in Montreal, Canada.
The list included athletes in the Partille World Handball Youth
Championships, in Sweden; the World Powerlifting championships in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, and the African Shooting Championship in Cairo,
Egypt.
Also in the list were participants in the African Senior Wrestling Championship and the African Junior Wrestling Championship.
Speaking at the occasion, Jonathan reassured Nigerians that his
administration was determined to ensure that all sectors of national
life were given the necessary motivation to achieve set goals.
Tthe president stated that the athletes’ achievements attested to the fact that with adequate preparation and motivation, Nigerians could surmount all obstacles to attain set goals.
According to him, government will continue to appreciate and reward excellence to serve as inspiration to those who are called to represent the country.
While savouring the achievements of the athletes, the president recalled that the journey to the present was not easy.
“Realising the significance of sports in national transformation, I took the decision to organise a retreat for the sports sector in 2012.
“This arose from my conviction that our outing at the 2012 Olympic Games did not represent full potential.
“Of course, if you look at the continent of Africa, we have the largest population; we are highest in terms of diversity and our economy is also the largest.
“In any competition in Africa, third position is not good enough for us because in all the other parameters we are never third.
“I am happy to note that things have progressively changed for the better since that retreat,” Jonathan said.
Jonathan commended that National Sports Commission for the “dedicated implementation” of the decisions taken at that retreat.
The president noted that the exploits of the athletes had gone a long way in further boosting the country’s image in the comity of nations.
He added that their zeal and dedication were remarkable and Nigeria’s flag was raised high to the delight of all citizens.
Jonathan announced the cash rewards at a reception in honour of the 351 sports men and women at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Among the athletes were those who participated in the African Senior Athletics Championships in Marrakech, Morocco, and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, according to NAN report.
Others were participants in the African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana; the World Junior Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, and the 2014 FIFA Female U-20 Football World Cup in Montreal, Canada.
PRESIDENT
GOODLUCK JONATHAN RECEIVING GOLDEN CUP WON BY THE GOLDEN EAGLETS AT THE
THE UAE 2013 FIFA U-17 FROM THE MINISTER OF SPORTS, MALAM BOLA
ABDULLAHI DURING A SPECIAL RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF THE GOLDEN EAGLETS OF
NIGERIA AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA ABUJA
Also in the list were participants in the African Senior Wrestling Championship and the African Junior Wrestling Championship.
Tthe president stated that the athletes’ achievements attested to the fact that with adequate preparation and motivation, Nigerians could surmount all obstacles to attain set goals.
According to him, government will continue to appreciate and reward excellence to serve as inspiration to those who are called to represent the country.
President Jonathan, right, and Blessing Okagbare.
“Realising the significance of sports in national transformation, I took the decision to organise a retreat for the sports sector in 2012.
“This arose from my conviction that our outing at the 2012 Olympic Games did not represent full potential.
“Of course, if you look at the continent of Africa, we have the largest population; we are highest in terms of diversity and our economy is also the largest.
“In any competition in Africa, third position is not good enough for us because in all the other parameters we are never third.
“I am happy to note that things have progressively changed for the better since that retreat,” Jonathan said.
Jonathan commended that National Sports Commission for the “dedicated implementation” of the decisions taken at that retreat.
The president noted that the exploits of the athletes had gone a long way in further boosting the country’s image in the comity of nations.
He added that their zeal and dedication were remarkable and Nigeria’s flag was raised high to the delight of all citizens.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment