President Jonathan hands over Team Nigeria to NOC

[MrVan]

PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will tomorrow perform the traditional handing over of Team Nigerian athletes to the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC,  in a grand reception billed for Sheraton Hotels, Lagos.

Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi lead the who is who in Nigerian Sports in presenting Team Nigeria to the President who in turn will handover the team to the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr Sani M. Ndanusa.

NOC Scribe, Honourable Tunde Popoola confirmed yesterday that the stage was set for

Team Nigeria to be officially handed over to the Olympic body before their departure to Surrey Camp in London on Sunday where they are expected to put finishing touches to their preparations before storming the Olympic Village.

"Invitations have been given out and we expect a grand send-forth and handing over of Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Olympic Committee. We have enjoyed a siamese relelationshipe with the National Sports Commission and we expect this relationship to translate into good medals at the Olympics", Popoola said.

Director General of the NSC, Dr Patrick Ekeji who will serve as Chef de Mission of Team Nigeria with his deputy chef de Mission, Yakumut Alhassan would add colour to the event. Presidents of Sports Federations, Acting British High Commissioner, Mike Purves, Political and Press Secretary Hooman Nouruzi and Communication Manager, Wale Adebajo would be there to wish Team Nigeria well.

Chief Solomon Ogba who led Team Nigeria to win the African Athletic championships in Porto Novo would also add colour to the event.

President Ndanusa said that the compact nature of Team Nigeria would send shock waves as Government has done so much more to place them in the front burner for the Olympics. "We're going to compete with other countries. We are not going to participate. And with God, all things will be well", he said.

Vanguard Nigeria