Ministers Gumel and Oladapo visit Nigeria’s Team base camp.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports.

Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, paid some Team Nigeria athletes a visit yesterday at the Commonwealth Games Birmingham Games Village.

Dare congratulated some of the athletes who competed in the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA, along with Engineer Habu Gumel, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and Banji Oladapo, Secretary General.

He challenged the athletes to maintain the same level of discipline and focus that they displayed in Oregon.

“I implore you to stay hungry for success, disciplined, and committed to doing our country proud.” Keep in mind that we have a zero tolerance policy for doping or cutting corners. “Let us win fairly and cleanly,” Dare said.

Dare was a member of the Pan-Commonwealth Innovators in Sports group, which is brainstorming ways to use sports to drive development and peace-building.

The Birmingham meeting focused on how sports can be used to contribute to national development goals as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda – a global agenda and blueprint aimed at ending poverty, protecting the environment, and ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Since his appointment, the Minister has prioritized the use of sports for peacebuilding, as well as the reclassification of sports as business, which has the potential to significantly contribute to the nation’s economy and drive development.

Dare currently serves on the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Forum, which meets every two years in advance of the Commonwealth Games and Summer Olympics. Each meeting focuses on pressing issues in sports policy, as well as collaboration and joint work progress.