By Toby Prince
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Team Nigeria, who came second on the overall medals table at the just concluded All-African Games in Congo Brazzaville.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
Buhari, who expressed appreciation at the performance of the team, urged the Nigerian athletes to always make Nigeria proud by constantly improving on their performance.
He said he was impressed with the performance of Team Nigeria at the continental event, and that he was not in doubt about their zeal and determination to make Nigeria great.
He, therefore, expressed deep joy that several members of the team did Nigeria proud and singled out for special commendation, the basketball team, D’Tigers Basketball team.
The D’Tigers had earlier earned the nation the gold medal for the first time in 50 years at AfroBasket 2015 in Tunisia, and by which feat the country got an automatic ticket to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
Buhari noted that the performance of Team Nigeria at the Congo games had yet again highlighted the massive potential of Nigerian sportsmen and women to excel in their chosen areas against all odds.
He implored the country’s athletes to do all they could to ensure that “Nigeria regains its number one position in Africa and the world at large.”
The President, who noted that a presidential delegation had attended the closing ceremony and conveyed his congratulations to the Team Nigeria and its officials, promised the team a befitting welcome ceremony.
He also assured Nigeria’s sportsmen and women that his administration would accord priority to sports, in addition to boosting the morale of the players and enhancing training for future challenges.
