The Commonwealth Games Federation has queried the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) over the inconsistency in the use of jerseys by its athletes at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
An official of Team Nigeria, who spoke in Glasgow on Tuesday on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the federation warned Nigeria to either desist from such or face sanctions.
The official said: “The Commonwealth Games Federation queried Nigeria, expressing displeasure at the dressing of the athletes in different colours and different sponsors.
“At times, when some of the athletes are competing, they cover the sponsor’s name on their jerseys with masking tape and at times the tape will just fall off.
“So, the federation felt embarrassed with that development and decided to query Nigeria through the Nigeria Olympic Committee,” the source said.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) had given the various sports federations money to acquire their own sporting apparels either through direct purchase or sponsorship.
Owing to that, Nigerian athletes have appeared in different jersey colours with the brand of different sponsors inscribed on them.
Sani Ndanusa, the President of the NOC, also confirmed the federation’s query to Nigeria.
Ndanusa, however, said that efforts were being made to address the issue “so that the development that led to the query does not happen again.
“NOC will take full control of the provision of the sports wears.
“There are guidelines which we must follow, so NOC will enforce it.
“The guidelines also include timely preparations.
“NOC will not completely leave the provision of the sports wears in the hands of the National Sports Commission.
“We will ensure that all the requirements are met.
“Even the logo on the shirts has a size specification and we know, so we will enforce it henceforth.”
Nigeria is participating in seven sports.
These are athletics, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, shooting, boxing and para-powerlifting.
The Games which began on July 23, is expected to end on August 3.
