As part of activities marking the visit of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) president Dr. Thomas Bach and his delegation to Nigeria, the delegation in the company of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare, undertook a tour of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
In his remarks after the delegation took a tour of main bowl of the National Stadium, the cycling arena and the stadium’s swimming pool, the IOC President expressed delight at what he met on ground. “I am happy that the stadium is clean and coming back to use. I also commend you on the organisation here. Everything appears organised. It is commendable.”
The delegation proceeded to commission the Association of National Olympics Committee Africa (ANOCA) Secretariat after 10 years of its foundation laying.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare who spoke before the commissioning, highlighted the importance of the day to Nigerians, Africans and the whole black race at large adding that the commitment of Nigeria to the completion of this edifice has been unwavering. It is for this reason that the Federal Government ensured the continued funding of the project from inception to completion.
“The event of today is a landmark in the development of sports on the continent of Africa. It is a day that the entire black race should be proud of. And as Nigerians, we are proud to be a major contributor to the actualization of this day.”
“Aside the obvious fact of the Commissioning of the Building that would from today be the administrative and technical hub of sports administration on the continent, we also have in our midst, the leaders of the world governing body for sports, ably led by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Thomas Bach.”
The Minister explained that the journey started some 13 years ago when Nigeria alongside 6 other African countries bided to host the Headquarters of ANOCA and become the Olympic capital of Africa, after which Nigeria was selected through a rigorous process.
In his remarks, the IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach said Nigeria has rewritten history as the capital of Sports in Africa.
“Today ANOCA and sport in Africa and Nigeria, you are writing sports history. With the inauguration of this magnificent headquarters here, you are establishing Abuja as the capital of sports in Africa. You are setting a milestone for the development of sports all over Africa. You are also creating perfect conditions to work better for the youth and the athletes from your young and potential continent of Africa.”
“I am honoured to be able to share this historic moment together with the entire Olympics family in Africa. When it comes to sports, this new building is an inspiration, a motivation for the unity of sports in Africa and to unite in the effort to support your athletes and make them become even more successful for the upcoming Olympic games Tokyo 2020. You also have one reason more at least to look into the future with great confidence and optimism in upcoming Youth Olympics Games 2022 in Africa.”
He congratulated the government and people of Nigeria and ANOCA. “I congratulate you all on the great achievements of sports in here in Nigeria and Abuja, the government of Nigeria, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development and the Minister of the FCT and I congratulate all of you because you are embodying the Olympic spirit of determination of excellence, friendship, respect.”
The IOC President and his delegation were in Nigeria on a two day visit after stopping over at
