President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday announced cash reward of N3 million for Blessing Okagbare, who won medals in the long jump event and 200 meters race at the 2013 IAAF World Athletic Championship in Moscow and N3.5 million for her coach, Daniel Esebinimo. The duo will also get national honours during the next award ceremony. Read more
He also charged Nigerian sports administrators and athletes to ensure that Nigeria gets gold medals at the 2016 Olympics games billed for Brazil.
The President said this during a short ceremony before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, where he received the medals won by Blessing Okagbare at the championship in Moscow.
He warned that the poor performance of Nigeria in the past Olympic Games would no longer be tolerated, directing the Sports Ministry and the Ministry of Finance to do everything possible to support the sector and the sports men and women. According to him: “We have taken a decision that in the next Olympics, we must get medals, gold medals. The last Olympics that we could not get any medal, except the paralympic that were able to shine was a bad story.
“We have challenged the Ministry of Sports and of course, the Finance Ministry to do all what it can to make sure that we support that sector so that our young men and women will do our country proud. So Blessing, we congratulate you. We thank you for this uncommon success and the uncommon dedication to our fatherland.
“Today is a day that we are all celebrating this young lady, Blessing Okagbare, we are celebrating success, we are celebrating dedication, we are celebrating patriotism. This is to formerly congratulate Blessing Okagbare and other young men and women like her, who have been working very hard to make this country proud.
“Sports, we know, is one key event in our country and globally, the success of a nation in sports is a key thing that helps to project that country. Nigeria has been known as a sporting nation, but for sometimes we slide back. But we are lucky that we are building up today. I believe that with young ladies and men like Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria will get back to where we belong and even go further,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi noted that Nigeria had been achieving successes in sports in the past two years because of the transformative and unprecedented leadership and support of President Jonathan.
Okagbare, speaking on the directive to get medals at the 2016 Olympics Games in Brazil, said it could not be magically achieved, except through hard work and appropriate supports.
According to her: “Well, I always try to work very hard with the support of people around me. It also depends on the people, on what they have to do to actually support sports. There is no magic in supports. Let me tell you, there is no magic. As much as they give to us, the athletes are ready to work hard. We will work with what you give to us and whatever comes out of it, you should expect.”
On her challenges and advise to upcoming athletes, Okagbare said: “When you are not mentally ready, you’re not ready in that activity. So, I just prepare myself mentally and whatever happens, I just take it. I want to encourage the upcoming athletes. It is not an easy job, but you have to actually work hard. While working hard you got to understand that it is not going to be rosy, there is going to be pros and cons . But regardless of the outcome, just believe in yourself.”
The President said this during a short ceremony before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, where he received the medals won by Blessing Okagbare at the championship in Moscow.
He warned that the poor performance of Nigeria in the past Olympic Games would no longer be tolerated, directing the Sports Ministry and the Ministry of Finance to do everything possible to support the sector and the sports men and women. According to him: “We have taken a decision that in the next Olympics, we must get medals, gold medals. The last Olympics that we could not get any medal, except the paralympic that were able to shine was a bad story.
“We have challenged the Ministry of Sports and of course, the Finance Ministry to do all what it can to make sure that we support that sector so that our young men and women will do our country proud. So Blessing, we congratulate you. We thank you for this uncommon success and the uncommon dedication to our fatherland.
“Today is a day that we are all celebrating this young lady, Blessing Okagbare, we are celebrating success, we are celebrating dedication, we are celebrating patriotism. This is to formerly congratulate Blessing Okagbare and other young men and women like her, who have been working very hard to make this country proud.
“Sports, we know, is one key event in our country and globally, the success of a nation in sports is a key thing that helps to project that country. Nigeria has been known as a sporting nation, but for sometimes we slide back. But we are lucky that we are building up today. I believe that with young ladies and men like Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria will get back to where we belong and even go further,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi noted that Nigeria had been achieving successes in sports in the past two years because of the transformative and unprecedented leadership and support of President Jonathan.
Okagbare, speaking on the directive to get medals at the 2016 Olympics Games in Brazil, said it could not be magically achieved, except through hard work and appropriate supports.
According to her: “Well, I always try to work very hard with the support of people around me. It also depends on the people, on what they have to do to actually support sports. There is no magic in supports. Let me tell you, there is no magic. As much as they give to us, the athletes are ready to work hard. We will work with what you give to us and whatever comes out of it, you should expect.”
On her challenges and advise to upcoming athletes, Okagbare said: “When you are not mentally ready, you’re not ready in that activity. So, I just prepare myself mentally and whatever happens, I just take it. I want to encourage the upcoming athletes. It is not an easy job, but you have to actually work hard. While working hard you got to understand that it is not going to be rosy, there is going to be pros and cons . But regardless of the outcome, just believe in yourself.”
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja
CULLED FROM THE SUN NEWSPAPER
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