All athletes invited to Nigeria’s pre-Commonwealth Games in Abuja have been ordered to reach the Federal Capital Territory by air and they will enjoy vastly improved welfare conditions all through their stay before heading out to Scotland.
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This follows President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s approval of a proposal submitted by the National Sports Commission (NSC) for special attention to the nation’s athletes who are expected to make the country proud at the Games in Glasgow.
Sports247 reports that details of this development were disclosed by the NSC’s director-general, Honourable Bukola Olopade, who added that each of the invited athletes will get a loaded bag as part of special trappings to make them happy.
Olopade added that the innovations that were approved by President Tinubu will commence this Tuesday, when the first leg of camping begins with home-based athletes, who he assured will get better welfare conditions in the national camp.
He assured that the invited athletes will all enjoy improved travel standards, which could include business-class tickets, based on status, while all will receive loaded bags of kits and apparels, all of which are aimed at encouraging them.
‘DG’ further pointed out that, as the NSC has set a benchmark of at least 20 gold medals from this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, it is only fitting that the athletes receive some of the finest welfare conditions possible.
“For the first time, each athlete’s kit bag is expected to contain nearly 20 different items of sporting apparel and accessories, all of which have already been procured ahead of the Games. We have always said the welfare of athletes is paramount.
“This is one area we are determined to get right. Every athlete coming to Abuja has been mandated to fly. Nobody will be coming by road. The Commission will bear the cost, because athlete welfare and safety remain our priority.
“The move is aimed at addressing long-standing complaints by athletes over poor welfare, inadequate logistics and delayed preparations that have often affected Nigeria’s performance at international competitions,” Olopade affirmed.
