NOC set for Olympic Day celebration

Over twenty-five States have indicated interest to be part of the 2016 Olympic Day celebration holding on July 2, 2016 across the country according to the President of Sports for All Nigeria (SFAN), Prince Henry Amike.
These includes Abia, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Benue ,Borno, Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Kaduna states, while Katsina , Kwara, Lagos , Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba and Federal Capital Territory Abuja completes the list.
Disclosing this in Abuja during the media unveiling of the event, Amike, said the number is expected to increase before the July 2nd date of the event.
He explained that the Nigeria leg of this year’s Olympic Day celebration was originally fixed for Saturday 25th June, 2016 but has to be shifted due to the Nation wide environmental sanitation exercise that holds across the country.
Meanwhile, President of the Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel while emphasizing on the importance of the celebration, urged Nigerians not to joke with the physical exercise which he said promotes healthy living and good lifestyle.
“Nigerians should know that physical exercise helps us feel better, have more energy and live longer. Physical exercise also prevents excessive weight gain and helps maintain weight loss, burn calories, prevents your risk of cardiovascular diseases and other wide range of health problems such as stroke, metabolic syndrome, diabetics and depression,” he said.
Secretary General of the NOC, Hon. Tunde Popoola, pleaded with the states to turn out en-mass for the event even as he  revealed that the Olympic Day celebration was initiated in 1987 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to commemorate the founding of the Olympic Movement, under the leadership of Frenchman, Baron Peirre De Coubertin on June 23, 1894.
CAPTION: NOC President, Engr Habu Gumel.