The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has directed that all Nigerian athletes representing the country in the 2022 Commonwealth games in Birmingham, United Kingdom, must be subjected to several tests to avoid bringing the name of the nation to ridicule The Trumpet gathered.
Dare, issuing the directive on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, during a stakeholders meeting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) at the Package A of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, declared that all contingents must undergo the compulsory screening exercise.
The Sports Minister vowed that any athlete(s) found culpable of failing the test will be dropped immediately to stem any eventual occurrence liable to tarnish the image of the country.
In a report by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, the Minister said that the countdown to the game taking place in Birmingham has already started, with 60 days to the event.
Dare added that the Sports Ministry is already working with the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) to ensure that contingents’ accommodation, camping, testing, ticketing and kits are adequately taken care of.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, in his welcome address, stated that nine Federations are already lined up to fly the banner of Nigeria at the games.
He added that Nigeria will be fielding 100 athletes in Judo, Athletics, Boxing, Weightlifting, Table tennis, Wrestling, Para-table tennis, Para-athletics and Para-powerlifting.
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Also speaking, the President, Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, stated that accreditation is ongoing, adding that 14 media houses and 701 journalists applied to cover the games.
Earlier In his opening remarks, the Director, Federation Elite and Athletes Department, (FEAD)/Chef de Mission, Dr Simon Ebhojaiye disclosed that the campings are ongoing while the official phase of camping will commence from May 30 to June 30 and July 2 – July 21, 2022, respectively.
He explained that the Birmingham Games Village will be officially opened on July 22, 2022, while the opening ceremony for the Games will hold on July 28, 2022.
