Following the government pronouncement last week after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that there would be no government’s official delegation to the 2012 Olympics in London, Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Abdullahi Bolaje has said that any government official-Senator, House of Representative member, governors and other political office holders who would wish to watch the games in London should sponsor his or herself for the games.
Speaking through his personal aide, Julius Ogunro, he assured that there will be no room for jamboree which had been the usual practice in the past where government officials with little or nothing to do at sporting events are dispatched to attend thereby constituting nuisance in most cases and also end up distracting the athletes.
According to him, the unprecedented move by President Goodluck Jonathan led administration is aimed at cutting cost and ensuringthat Team Nigeria will do well during the games. “It is aim at ensuring that we have value for what are doing. Any governor or top government officials outside of the participating teams seen at the London Olympics will certainly not have travelled on federal government ticket. Because there would be no official government delegation apart from the athletes and their officials, that is what the federal council means. But whoever wants to watch the game live in London can sponsor he or herself if he has the means,” He said.
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