FG To Host Commonwealth Games Medal Winners
Less than 48 hours after the 2014 Commonwealth Games ended in Glasgow, Scotland, President Goodluck Jonathan has announced that he would receive and honour Nigerian athletes who won medals at the Games.
Nigeria finished 8th out of 71 countries that competed at the championship.
According to a statement made public by Jonathan's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president promised to honour all the athletes that distinguished themselves in Glasgow and their coaches.
* Okagbare in action in Glasgow, Scotland
The statement however did not state when the reception will hold.
Jonathan congratulated all members of the Nigerian team for what he described as their 'sterling performance' at the event.
The President particularly applauded the elating accomplishment of Blessing Okagbare who he said gloriously dominated the female sprint events, and other athletes who won medals for the country at the games.
* Okagbare, left, and President Jonathan
The statement read in part: “The President believes that the athletes’ very impressive performance at the games which resulted in Nigeria ranking 8th out of 71 participating countries is a further demonstration of the indomitable spirit of Nigerians and the great heights they can attain with hard work, commitment, dedication, courage and patriotism.
“President Jonathan assures the athletes and their handlers that his Administration will continue to do its best to encourage them and support sports development in the country.
“He looks forward to receiving and honouring the medal winners and their coaches at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.”
It would be recalled that the highlights of Team Nigeria's participation in this year's Commonwealth Games was Okagbare's triumphs in the women's 100metres and 200metres races.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's image was eroded when one of its weightlifters, Chika Omalaha, was caught to have spiked her system with a banned substance. As a result, her gold medal was withdrawn, while she awaits a ban from the sport.
Source: Legit.ng
