By Seun Adams
As the world athletics championship in Budapest, Hungary comes to an end, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has said commended the athletes that participated at the competition.
He acknowledged their patrotism, especially in the face of the challenges that confronted them during the tournament.
The Minister disclosed this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja when he received the officials, athletes and coaches on their arrival from Hungary.
Enoh, who advised the athletes not to be weighed down by their inability to hit the target stated that as a nation, we still celebrate you because we know that you have put in every effort to make Nigeria proud.
He explained that there is no greater honour that could have been given to these athletes who went out to represent Nigeria in far away Budapest than coming out fully, not only to receive them back home but also welcome them with a view to appreciating their earlier efforts, aimed at raising the nation’s flag high.
You may not have done as expected but as our representatives, we need to welcome you back, even if that serves as a motivation for you in preparation for future competitions Enoh, said.
The Minister expressed optimism that under his watch, the next events that will require athletes to travel to other countries will be more rewarding, both in terms of early camping, adequate training and quicker release of funds.
Now that the game is over, he said, it is now time for us as a Ministry to examine the challenges faced at the World Championship with a view to addressing them for more effective performances and podium finishes in subsequent global completions.
Enoh, informed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is passionate about the development of sports in the country, not only as recreation but also to provide opportunity for economic empowerment, job creation, security and poverty alleviation, among others.
The Minister who assured of continuous stakeholder engagements, called on philanthropists and sports loving Nigerians to join hands with the Ministry in her bid to fulfil her mandate so as to enhance the socio-economic growth of the nation.
