Visa delay: Embassy seeks China-Nigeria sports communication channel
By Muhyideen Jimoh
The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has called for enhanced collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the establishment of a China-Nigeria sports communication channel to foster seamless partnership in the sector.
The Culture Counselor of the Chinese Embassy Yang Jian Xing, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja when he paid a diplomatic visit to the leadership of the NSC.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit is coming in the aftermath of the visa delay from the Chinese embassy that led to Team Nigeria withdrawing from the World relays in Guangzhou, China.
Xing expressed regrets over the visa challenges and pledged China’s commitments to the country’s vision for sports development.
” I want to describe what has happened as an accident and we are sorry and we regret it in its entirety.
“We are here to let the Sports Commission know that the Chinese Government holds Nigeria in high esteem, he said.
He said that China was desirous of boosting diplomatic ties with Nigeria in the sports sector and other areas of mutual interest.
” We are open to better collaboration with the National Sports Commission to boost diplomatic ties of both China and Nigeria in terms of Sports Training and Exchange programmes”.
” Once again, I want to assure you that from next time we will try our best for this not to repeat itself again and we will also like to create a special channel for a China and Nigeria Sports Communication”, he added.
Earlier, the NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko commended the move to visit the commission while stressing the need for better collaboration going forward.
” We are very happy to receive officials from the Chinese Embassy in our office today (Tuesday).
“It shows the Chinese Government genuine disappointment for what happened which for us is a huge sign of better things to come between both countries especially in Sports.
” We should at all times try to create positives out of things like this and we are happy that this has further strengthened our relationship with the Chinese Embassy, Dikko said.
The Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade in his remarks reiterated the commission’s desire to build stronger sporting ties with China.
He said the incident of the visa glitch should serve as a springboard to a more robust working relationship between both countries.
” Your humility and diplomacy is the best I have seen anywhere and I am very grateful that you best described the incident between the AFN, the commission and your embassy as an accident.
“We have all agreed to take it as such and move forward to better things”.
” I want to thank you for everything and for the request for exchange programmes and training for our media and Sports men and women.
“This is truly worthy of note . We are looking forward to a bigger and better relationship between Nigeria and China,” Olopade said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
