Reps donate N100m to team Nigeria for Paris Olympics

The house of representatives has pledged to donate N100 million to Team Nigeria for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house, announced the resolution of the leadership of the green chamber during the plenary session on Wednesday.

John Enoh, minister of sports, and members of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, who were in the green chamber, presented the lawmakers with the newly unveiled Olympic sports kits.

“I am conveying the decision of the leadership of the house to you. To kick the ball rolling, we are supporting you with a sum of N100 million,” Kalu said.

Kalu said the donation will be drawn from the salaries of the lawmakers.

Balele Aminu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member representing the Dutsin-ma/Kurfi federal constituency of Katsina, also presented the team with a N3 million cheque.

Kalu urged Nigerians and the private sector to support the team for the Olympics.

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, said the Paris Olympics present a “unique opportunity for us to change this narrative and make history once again”.

“Let us seize this moment to reclaim our place at the top and bring home the gold that our country so eagerly anticipates,” he said.

The speaker said funding for sports “cannot be done on the eve of a competition”.

“Proper funding and support must begin years in advance to ensure our athletes are adequately prepared. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has made commendable efforts to reinvigorate the sports sector, and the national assembly will support him fully in this regard,” he said.

Abbas said the support for the Olympic team is an expression of the house’s “unwavering support” for the team.

The speaker’s address was delivered by Kalu.

The Paris Olympics are scheduled to start on July 26 and run until August 11.