For Nigeria and Nigerians, the just-ended Commonwealth Games (CWG), held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, is not only exciting, but also very historical.
Senator Kola Balogun, the vice chairman, Senate Committee on Youths and Sports Development and who was at the closing ceremony of the CWG, said this in reaction to the feat of the Team Nigeria at the 22 edition of the Games.
The federal lawmaker, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, in a statement on Thursday, thank God for the feat recorded at the Games and called for more support for sports development.
Recalled that Team Nigeria amassed 12 Gold, 9 Silver and 14 Bronze, making a total of 35 medal haul at the end of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The gold medal haul is the highest at a single Commonwealth Games for Team Nigeria, representing its best performance ever and the impressive outing also made it to place 7th on the medal table and it was ranked as the best in the African Continent.
The Nigerian gold medalists at the Games (all females) at the Games included Tobi Amusan (100m Hurdle); Ese Brume (Long Jump); Favour Ofili, Tobi Amusan, Rosemary Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha (4×100m).
Others were Odunayo Adekuoroye (Wrestling); Rafiatu Folasade Lawal (Weightlifting); Adijat Olarinoye (Weightlifting); Eucharia Iyiazi (Shot Put); Chioma Onyekwere (Shot Put) and Goodness Nwachukwu (Discus Throw).
Senator Balogun said the feat of Team Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth games in Birmingham was exciting as it is historical, adding that it is clear that the story of Nigeria is not all about banditry and kidnapping.
“I thank God for the grace of excellent outing of the Team Nigeria. This is a feat we have not been able to achieve in 28 years.
“With the number of gold, silver and bronze medals that we are walking away with, and having come 7th out of the 72 parcipating nations in the overall result, it is evidently clear that the story of Nigeria is not just all about banditry and kidnapping.
“On behalf of the leadership of the National Assembly, I congratulate our patriotic, highly skillful and courageous athletes and the Federal Government, as ably represented by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports development, under the leadership of our performing Honourable Minister, Honourable Sunday Dare.
“I also heartily congratulate all Nigerians and, indeed, the stakeholders in the youth and sports development sector of our national life.”
The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Youths and Sports Development, said the Games is a wake up call and charged government at all levels and other critical stakeholders to encourage athleticism in the youths by adequately funding the sector.
“This is really a wake up call to our government at all levels on the need to encourage the passion for athleticism in our youth with adequate funding of this sector.
“Aside from the fact that sport is one instrument of unity in our country, it is also an instrument for nation building and economic diversification. God bless the Federal Republic Of Nigeria,” he said.
