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Buhari approves Team Nigeria’s allowances ahead All African Games

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved funds to pay allowances of athletes and officials during the All Africa Games which starts on August 19.

Training grants to athletes has also been approved according to the Permanent Secretary, Olusola Adesola at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

“The Federal Government has completed arrangement for Team Nigeria, comprised of 462 athletes and officials, to depart Nigeria for the African Games in Morocco on Aug. 15,” Adesola disclosed during a media briefing on Wednesday.

All African Games

“I want to re-assure that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved funds to pay allowances of athletes and officials while at the Games village and off-shore training grants to desirable athletes.

“Return tickets for foreign athletes and wining bonuses have also been provided, ” he said.

The contingent would be transported to the Games through a chartered flight, Air Peace in line with international best practice.

Adesola said that the athletes who had been in close camps in six states since July 5, would be participating in 22 sports at the Games.

“The Federations have conducted a series of close and open trials to assess the athletes’ level of preparation and select possible podium athletes to represent the nation at the Games.

“Nigeria will present a contingent size of 462 athletes, Coaches, medical and administrative support staff to the Games,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sports with the highest contingents include: Athletics- 51 athletes/6 coaches, football- 36 players/10 coaches, Handball-28 players/4 coaches, Volleyball (indoor) -24 athletes/4 coaches.

Others are Weightlifting-20 athletes/2 coaches, Taekwondo and Wrestling-16 athletes/2 coaches each and Cycling-14 athletes/3 coaches among the 22 individual and team sports Nigeria will be participating in.

A further breakdown shows 153 male athletes, 155 female athletes, 58 coaches, 58 team officials and 38 other officials and dignitaries to make up the 462 contingent.

The Permanent Secretary, however, emphasised the need for the athletes to compete clean without any form of doping while striving to top the medals table.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to their welfare and assured that all issues of bonuses, training grants and return ticket for foreign athletes had been sorted out.

NAN reports that the 12th African Games is to hold in Rabat, Morocco, between Aug. 19 and Aug 31.

Read Also: Nigeria to compete in 23 sports at All Africa Games

Team Nigeria finished second in the last edition of the Games in Congo Brazzaville in 2015. (NAN)

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