Joel Ajayi

Says Team Nigeria Will be Ready for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

In a resolute declaration, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to rejuvenate and reposition Nigerian sports. Under the guiding principles of the Renewed Hope mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Enoh emphasized the ministry’s determination to propel sports in Nigeria to new heights of excellence and glory.

Highlighting the significant strides made thus far during a chat with his media team, Senator Enoh underscored the ministry’s dedication to building upon past successes to drive transformative change within the sports sector. Despite facing challenges, the ministry remains steadfast in its mission to catalyze the advancement of sports across the nation.

“Sports in Nigeria is undergoing a significant transformation, and we are fully committed to leveraging this momentum to drive positive change and achieve unprecedented success,” stated Senator Enoh.

Following the Confederation of African Football’s exclusion of Nigerian match officials from its 2023 AFCON list, Senator Enoh took decisive action by convening stakeholders and declaring a state of emergency on officiating. Through collaborative efforts, a roadmap to rejuvenate officiating in Nigeria was established, leading to the inclusion of Nigerian match officials in the pool for international competitions by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) for the year 2024.

Senator Enoh’s proactive leadership was instrumental in ensuring a successful and controversy-free African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, culminating in the team’s historic final appearance after 11 years. Additionally, Nigerian footballer Victor Osimhen’s crowning as the African Player of the Year marked a significant milestone, ending a 24-year drought.

Further accolades were bestowed upon the Senior Women’s National Team of Nigeria, the Super Falcons, who were honored as the Team of the Year in Africa at the 2023 CAF Awards. Their impressive performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand secured a top 10 global ranking for the team.

Nigeria’s dominance extended beyond football, with notable achievements at the African Games in Ghana, particularly in sports such as wrestling, boxing, and weightlifting, surpassing previous records and setting new benchmarks for excellence at the Games.

“Through collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for Nigerian sports. Our goal is not only to excel on the international stage but also to nurture a culture of sports excellence at all levels,” Senator Enoh remarked.

Enoh stated that the Ministry will continue to work hard to bring more private investors into sports, as this period represents the best time for injecting a new life into sports.

Looking ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Senator Enoh expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s readiness, with athletes securing qualifications across various sports and events. Notably, Nigeria secured four additional Olympic tickets in athletics following a successful outing at the World Relays Championships in the Bahamas.

“For Team Nigeria, the journey to Paris 2024 represents an opportunity to shine and make our nation proud. We are fully committed to supporting our athletes and ensuring that they have everything they need to excel on the world stage,” Senator Enoh concluded.

Senator Enoh assured that Nigeria will showcase its prowess on the global stage, leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success and welfare of its athletes.

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