Sports minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung has apoloigised for some hitches being faced by athletes and fans at the National Sports Festival, but said they were due to logistics issues and late release of funds.
Though Dalung insisted in a chat with sports247.ng that Abuja 2018 has been very successful overall, he said he is aware of some challenges the athletes are facing in Abuja.
Dalung, however, the source of those challenges on the exigencies of time and revealed that money was released to the sports ministry just two days before the festival’s opening ceremony.
The minister said he had to source for funds to put the facilities in good shape, for publicity and other important aspects of preparations.
He, however, promised to tackle all the problems faxing athletes and officials, to ensure a successful and exciting end to the 2018 festival on Sunday.
Dalung expatiated: “We are hosting this Festival appropriation of nine months. We came to remedy a bad situation.
“Therefore, some of these challenges might exist due to exigencies of time.
“Secondly, funds did not come handy as at when expected. In fact funds were released to us two days to the opening ceremony.
“In human situation there is nothing that is perfect. Challenges usually are what inspire us to improve and advance.
“Definitely, I expected more of these complaints. Why because it takes two years to plan the National Sports Festival.”
