The recently concluded Commonwealth Games (CWG), held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, have been declared exciting and historic.
Senator Kola Balogun, the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development, who was at the closing ceremony of the 22nd edition of the CWG, made the declaration in reaction to the feat of Team Nigeria at the Games.
Recalled that Team Nigeria amassed 12 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze, making a total of 35 medals at the end of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The gold medal haul is the highest at a single Commonwealth Games for Team Nigeria, representing its best performance ever. The impressive outing also placed 7th on the medal table, and it was ranked as the best in the African Continent.
The federal lawmaker, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, in a statement on Thursday, thanked God for the feat and called for more support for sports development.
Senator Balogun said the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham were both exciting and historical, adding that it is clear the story of Nigeria is not all about banditry and kidnapping.
“I thank God for the grace of excellent outing of the Team Nigeria. This is a feat we have not been able to achieve in 28 years.
“With the number of gold, silver and bronze medals that we are walking away with, and having come 7th out of the 72 parcipating nations in the overall result, it is elear that the story of Nigeria is not just all about banditry and kidnapping.
“On behalf of the leadership of the National Assembly, I congratulate our patriotic, highly skilful and courageous athletes and the Federal Government as ably represented by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports development under the leadership of our performing Honourable Minister, Honourable Sunday Dare.
“I also heartily congratulate all Nigerians and, indeed, the stakeholders in the youth and sports development sector of our national life.”
The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Youths and Sports Development, however, charged government at all levels and other critical stakeholders to encourage athleticism in the youths by adequately funding the sector.
“This is r wake-up call to our government at all levels on the need to encourage the passion for athleticism in our youth with adequate funding in this sector.
“Aside from the fact that sport is one instrument of unity in our country, it is also an instrument for nation-building and economic diversification. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
