President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the medal-winning efforts of several Nigerians in athletics and their counterparts in other sports.
The President stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who recently received “Special Recognition Award for Contributions to Sports Development in Nigeria and the Africa Region” from President Mohammed Solih of Maldives.
Speaking after receiving the plaque from the Minister, the President thanked him for the honour to the country.
Buhari, who lauded Dare’s enormous contributions to sports development, expressed delight that he had been recognized and applauded outside the shores of the country.
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The President, in a statement by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, said under Dare, Nigeria’s sports sector had developed from recreation to business.
He said with revamping of infrastructure, laurels had been harvested at international events by Nigeria’s athletes while harmony and unity of purpose had prevailed in several sporting associations.
He extended his best wishes to the Sports Minister, urging him to continue to give his best for God and country.
In his remarks, the Minister thanked the President for his tireless support towards sports matters in the country.
He cited the generous and timely funding from the government to all sporting organizations, local and international engagements, describing the recent donation of N200 million to Team Nigeria at the last Commonwealth Games as deeply inspiring.