"No Rabat, No Beijing Olympics" - Ministry of Sports Tells Athletes

"No Rabat, No Beijing Olympics" - Ministry of Sports Tells Athletes

By Niyi Busari

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Olusade Adesola has reiterated the subsisting regulation established in 2015 that "No Rabat, No Beijing Olympics" which means "No representation at the All African Games, No participation in the Olympics.

Speaking at the press briefing on Team Nigeria preparation and participation in the 12th African Games on Wednesday in Abuja, Olusade said the regulation will serve as Qualifier and will be used in selecting athletes for the Olympic Games in some sporting events.

"The athletes are however reminded on the subsisting regulation established in 2015 that "No Brazaville, No Rio" meaning No representation at the African Games, No participation in the Olympics." The imperative of this axiom derives from the fact that the African Games serves as Qualifier for some sporting events of the Olympics."

Olusade who disclosed that the Nigerian athletes are ready and well motivated to have good outing in Rabat added that the ministry will continue to support the efforts of the athletes as resources permit to surpass past achievement .

"I want to assure you that the Ministry would continue to support the efforts of our athletes as much as we could. I want to reassure you that Nigeria president, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved funds to pay allowances of athletes and officials while at the Games village, off-shore training grants to desirable athletes and winning bonuses as at when due."