The Youth and Sports Development
Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung will not stop stewing in controversies as
members of the Olympic football team said they have accepted his apology for
their traumatizing experience in Atlanta, USA.
Siasia-Dalung Siasia-Dalung Some
members of the team revealed to Sports Vanguard that contrary to reports in
Nigeria that the minister visited the team in Atlanta where he reportedly asked
team captain, John Mikel Obi to take charge of the team, he never visited them.
“Where did he visit us? We never saw him while we were in Atlanta. I think they
just issued a press release that he came to see us, we never saw,” one of them
said. The source however, said that “we have accepted his apology and happy
that they paid us our camp allowance for 11 days. We were in camp for more than
a month in Nigeria and Atlanta so they should pay us all the allowances as well
as the bonus for the two matches we have played.” Another demand by the team
was the payment of the five months salary owed the coaching crew but it was not
clear if that is part of the money the sports ministry or the NOC would settle
as it is the responsibility of the NFF.
Meanwhile, the minister’s office said
yesterday that the players were each paid $1,650 being allowances for 11 days
as they are entitled to $150 daily camp allowance. According to a press
statement from the minister’s office, the minister said the upfront payment was
to ensure that the players are focused and well motivated as he promised that
all entitlements will be be given to all athletes even before the Games end.
“All your camp allowances have been budgeted for. There will be no
story-telling during these Games. You will get all your allowances and
entitlements as we don’t want any distractions. We want you to remain focused .
You have established that you’re great men and determined to conquer, despite
all odds. There can’t be any other sacrifice more than this”, the press
statement quoted Dalung as saying.
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