Inconsistent Jerseys: Common Wealth Games Federation Queries Nigeria

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Sports News Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

The Commonwealth Games Federation, CGF, has queried the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, over the inconsistency in the use of jerseys by Nigerian athletes at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

An official of Team Nigeria, who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the federation warned Nigeria to either desist from such or face sanctions.

Glasgow 2014: Blessing Okagbare Wins women’s 100m gold

“The Commonwealth Games Federation queried Nigeria, expressing displeasure at the dressing of the athletes in different colours and different sponsors.

“At times, when some of the athletes are competing, they cover the sponsor’s name on their jerseys with masking tape and at times the tape will just fall off.

“So, the federation felt embarrassed with that development and decided to query Nigeria through the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC),” the source said.

The NSC had given the various sports federations money to acquire their own sporting apparels either through direct purchase or sponsorship.

Owing to that, Nigerian athletes have appeared in different jersey colours with the brand of different sponsors inscribed on them.

Sani Ndanusa, President of the NOC, also confirmed the federation’s query to Nigeria in an interview.

He, however, said that efforts were being made to address the issue “so that the development that led to the query does not happen again.

“NOC will take full control of the provision of the sports wears; there are guidelines which we must follow, so NOC will enforce it.

“The guidelines also include timely preparations; NOC will not completely leave the provision of the sports wears in the hands of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

“We will ensure that all the requirements are met; even the logo on the shirts has a size specification and we know, so we will enforce it henceforth”.

The query is coming amidst an embarrassment suffered by Nigeria when a gold medallist in the 53kg weightlifting category tested positive for drugs. Chika Amalaha has since been suspended from the competition while the result of a second test is being expected.

Nigeria is participating in seven sports, including athletics, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, shooting, boxing, and para-powerlifting.

The Games, which began on July 23, is expected to end on August 3.