Members of the Nigerian 4x400m relay quartet had their wishes of kissing the 2000 Olympics gold medal awarded them by the IOC kept on hold, as President Goodluck Jonathan failed to meet the team on July 17 as earlier scheduled.
It was gathered that a mix-up between the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi and the chief of staff to the President, prevented Dr. Jonathan from presenting the medals and perhaps cash rewards to the former athletes at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. However, they will get another chance on Wednesday July 24.
“We couldn’t meet with the President. He was not properly briefed but the sports minister and the chief of staff have worked things out and it has now be re-scheduled for next Wednesday.” said an official of the AFN.
He added that the athletes Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu, Enefiok Odo-Obong, Fidelis Gazama, Nduka Awazie and the widow of late Sunday Bada, Mrs Sunbo Bada have been holed up in Abuja waiting for their lucky day.
It was gathered that Mr. Abdulahi facilitated the occasion based on his understanding that the athletes must also get rewards just like their football counterparts.
It was gathered that it he took a similar action when the President hosted the Flying Eagles who won silver at the African Youth Championship.
Abdulahi had to smuggle the Africa Youth Athletics Championships winning team into the list of recipient for the day even as they were not originally listed for the occasion.
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