Paris Olympics: NOC sets target for athletes, administrators

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has tasked stakeholders, especially Federation presidents and the Ministry of Sports to ensure that the country surpasses its previous achievements at the Olympics.

NOC President, Habu Gumel gave the charge during the committee’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held virtually on Wednesday.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NOC, Tony Nezianya in a communiqué made available to NAN on Thursday, quoted Gumel as saying that the country needed to participate strongly in three major games in 2024.

“We need a new result at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games by improving on the 1996 Atlanta Games, where Nigeria won two Gold medals,” he said.

Gumel said that the Atlanta Games was where Chioma Ajunwa won gold through her 7.12-metre long jump and the gold by our soccer ‘Dream Team’ led by Nwankwo Kanu.

He, therefore, urged better performance in the Paris Olympics, while the country also prepared to participate in 2024 Youth Winter Games and the African Games.

Nezianya also quoted Gumel as highlighting the Committee’s achievements and plans for the future, in his report for the year 2022.

He described the year 2023 as a successful year for sports development in the country.

Gumel reflected on the activities of 2022, emphasising the Committee’s commitment to uniting the Olympic family and promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement.

He highlighted the successful acquisition of five hectares of land for the building of the Committee’s Secretariat in Abuja.

He also mentioned the completion of the Olympafrica section of the Amuwo Odofin project in Lagos, a significant step towards the development of sports facilities.

The highlight of the report presented by Gumel was the impressive performance of Team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games, winning a total of 12 Gold, nine Silver, and 14 Bronze medals.

The President extolled the athletes for their dedication and hard work, after placing the country in the seventh position in the overall medals table.

Gumel also expressed satisfaction with the dedication and hard work of some commissions under NOC, in achieving their objective in spite of the financial constraints.

The NOC president particularly paid tribute to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, for their support in the outgoing year.

The report also focused on the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, where Nigeria participated in Ski Sports.

The report acknowledged the XXII Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, UK, as Gumel highlighted the successful visit of the Queen’s Baton Relay to Nigeria, marking the seventh consecutive visit since 2002.

Other events such as Olympic Day celebration, the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace, and various seminars and workshops, were also highlighted in the report.

It underscored the Committee’s commitment to the growth and development of Nigerian sports. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh