Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday
celebrated with Nigeria's Dream Team VI for winning the bronze medal in the
men's football event at the Rio Olympics and called on Sports authorities in
the country to embark on honest reappraisal.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, also congratulated Nigeria for the feat
achieved by the team.
He extolled the doggedness of the Coach Samson Siasia-led
boys and their ability to bounce back from defeat to claim a bronze medal for
the country.
Saraki said: "I am excited about this last minute
redemption of the nation's pride by the Dream Team VI. The game against
Honduras was no doubt a make or mar cracker. But we are happy to have emerged
victorious. Thanks to the team and their technical crew.
"You have made the country proud by winning the third
place match against all odds and we are proud of you and your superlative
outing. All those who prayed and supported the team to the end also deserve
special commendation. We were not disappointed," he said.
Saraki noted that the fact that the nation's delegation did
not perform as expected in the Rio Olympics Games billed to end on Sunday
should not be a reason to engage in a blame game. Rather, he urged sports
authorities in the country to immediately put their house in order and ensure
that the country's athletes have better preparations for the next Olympics and
other major sports meets in the world.
"We must immediately reappraise our participation and
ensure that the factors that set us back in the various events are identified
and immediately redressed in order to aid our planning and preparation for the
next edition of the games," he said.
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