NIDOE-Austria Condemns Harassment Of Falcon Players •Says It Does Not Represent Nigerian Community In Austria
The Nigerians in Disapora Organisation (NIDOE-Austria) has condemned a recent attack on the female national football team, Falcon, in Austria.
Recalled that a Nigerian man was seen in a video where he boarded a train in which the Falcon players were traveling to harass and embarass the players, blaming them for the national problems confronting the country.
However, NIDOE-Austria in a seven-paragraph statement by its Chairlady and Secretary, Subrinah Joy Dolischka and Deji Adeyemo, respectively, said the female national football team should not be held responsible for the Nigerian problems.
The group, further said the young female footballers should be seen as being among the last bastion of hope that holds the country together.
The group stated that, having watched and reviewed the said video, the harassment of the players was misguided and uncalled for.
NIDOE-Austria said it was appalled over the actions of the fellow, whatever his motivations and ” do hereby dissociate ourselves from his misguided action and condemn it. This action is not representative of the Nigeria community in Austria.”
The group therefore resolved as follows: “That we are happy to learn that the Falcon players chose Austria for their summer camp this year and we would have been too happy to welcome them if we had known they were coming to Austria.
“That the Falcon players cannot be held responsible for the current predicaments of Nigeria, in fact our young athletes have remained amongst the last bastions of hope that hold us together and a remaining source of pride to a nation suffering from numerous anomalies.
“That harassing our athletes on a train is misguided, though he may not have attempted to physically assault any of them, this action of verbal harassment would not solve any problems in Nigeria. This action infringes on their rights to dignity as guaranteed by the Austrian laws.
“That though Austrian laws guarantee freedom to protest and demonstrations, there are procedures that must be followed and this right is not a blanket provision to harass innocent and private individuals. In fact, there are many, better ways and methods to express one’s displeasure with the state of the Nigeria nation.
“That our deprived youths who have continued to make their contributions despite all hardships and deprivations should be encouraged and supported, and not maligned.
“That we see no problem with the Falcons taking public transportation, which are normally very comfortable and safe, to get a feel of how people live in Vienna.
“That we are appalled over the actions of the fellow, no matter his motivations and do hereby dissociate ourselves from his misguided action and condemn it. This action is not representative of the Nigeria community in Austria.
“We consider this action disturbing and unacceptable and regret the incidence took place in our otherwise peaceful and progress loving community.
“We hope that despite this unfortunate incidence, the Falcons are enjoying themselves in Austria and their preparations for their coming tournament are progressing unaffected.
“We stand by them and wish them success in the coming tournament and may they surge higher and higher in their bid to do us proud.”
