I’m not the problem of Nigerian sports—Dalung
Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung on Monday said that he was not the problem of Nigerian sports as abysmal performance in sports predates his appointment.
According to him, the poor performance in the just concluded Rio Olympics games in Brazil was due to late release of funds and inability to develop home-grown talents.
The Minister also disclosed that he was not aware of the appointment of a new foreign coach for the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Dalung disclosed this to State House Correspondents after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa to brief him on Nigeria’s outing at the Olympics.
Though Dalung had maintained preference for a local coach, the NFF had recently announced a German coach, Gernot Rohr for the Super Eagles.
He also dismissed speculations that Coach Samson Siasia who led the football team to the Olympics had resigned.
According to him, the correct position was that Siasia’s contract with the NFF had lapsed.
He also expressed displeasure on the treatment of Siasia by NFF which withdrew his official car in Abuja while making all efforts to secure a medal for the country in Rio Olympics.
The Minister said Siasia was still relevant to football development in the country, stressing that he could be re-engaged based on his track record and pedigree.
According to him, it would be sad to have someone like Siasia leave the shores of Nigeria to represent another country out of frustration, just like many athletes did at the Rio Olympics.
Dalung also cleared Siasia and his team of any issue regarding match fixing following the donation of $390, 000 donation by a Japanese surgeon, Katsuya Takasu
He explained that he was convinced there were no strings attached to the donation like match-fixing after meeting Tatasu in Rio.
Dalung said he had pleaded with the President to host the Nigerian contingent to the Olympics Games in Rio, Brazil, despite winning a bronze medal in football and taking the 78th position on the medals table.
He said, “It is normal if somebody sends you on an errand, when you accomplish that task you first and foremost brief that person before you go public to start talking to outsiders.
“So, all I did was to brief the President on our performance, the challenges we had, the progress we made because in 2016 Nigeria was celebrated.”
According to him, two Nigerian athletes, Aruna Quadri and Chierika Ukogu were recognized internationally in Rio, stressing that such recognition was an achievement and honour for Nigeria.
