2014 AYG: NSC says that all Gold Medal Winners will be at YOG
National Sports Commission (NSC) says all the athletes who won gold medals for Nigeria at the just-concluded African Youth Games (AYG) would be at the forthcoming Youth Olympics Games (YOG).
Director General of the commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, stated this after receiving the athletes at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday.
Elegbeleye said the athletes’ presence at the YOG was guaranteed, even if their sport’s national federations would not be at the Games slated to hold in China on August.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Team Nigeria to the second edition of the AYG, held in Gaborone, Botswana, won 41 medals.
This had comprised 19 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals.
”Every Nigerian is proud of you, starting from President Goodluck Jonathan, because you went there, conquered and came back.
”At the last outing in Morocco in 2010, we had 10 medals. But we have surpassed that feat with this outing, and that means that you are all golden athletes.
”But, I promise you that those of you that won gold at the AYG will be at the YOG later in the year. Even if your federations are not going, we will get you there,” Elegbeleye said.
The NSC director-general said all the athletes should see the AYG as a stepping stone to greater heights.
”As from today, you are all preparing for something greater than what you have achieved.
”Nigeria will be going for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil and I believe that you all are not too young to be Olympic medalists.
”Even those who did not win gold in Botswana, I am sure that after this, you will perform better than you did now.
”So, I believe that your best is yet to come,” he said.
Elegbeleye however commended the national under-15 football team for winning gold in spite of having a little time for preparation.
”I want to particularly commend the football team because we nearly disbanded them.
”They had little time to prepare, but the Director of Competitions at the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Mohammed Sanusi, said they have a team that can win gold and they did.
”For those that did not win any medal at all, I believe it was probably because of the situation at hand or you were not psychologically prepared.
”But, I urge you to prepare yourself for the next edition and we will encourage you,” Elegbeleye said.
He however promised the athletes that they would be hosted to a presidential reception at a later date, subject to President Jonathan’s approval.
NAN reports that Nigeria placed third on the medals table at the AYG, after South Africa and Egypt who were first and second respectively.
The 2014 AYG was held from May 22 to May 31.
Team Nigeria participated in 16 sporting events with 115 athletes.(NAN)
