Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s Poor Start Worries Dalung

The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung is confident that Nigeria will surpass its past record at the ongoing Commonwealth Games.

Barrister gave the assurance despite the country’s poor start at the Games in Gold Coast which enters Day 3 on Saturday.

“The Games have just started and our team has prepared very well. Although the early start has not been quite impressive as we expected, that does not suggest that that’s what we are expecting. We are quite hopeful that we will surpass our records in this Games. We should not be discouraged by the poor start. The team is in high spirit and the officials are dutifully working round the clock. Our aim is to make the country proud.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s D’Tigers continue their quest for a Commonwealth Games classification when they take on Canada later today in the men’s preliminary Round Pool A in Cairns, two and a half hours away from Brisbane.

Yesterday the team lost 65-110 to New Zealand. A breakdown showed they lost 15-24, 20-26, 8-31 and 22-29 in all quarters.

Their match against Canada takes place at Cairns Convention Centre  at 5am Nigerian time.

In boxing, Nigeria’s Sikiru Ojo takes to the ring against Ghana’s Samuel Yaw Addo in the men’s 56kg Round of 16. Time is 10.17hrs Nigerian time.

The Men’s Team Table Tennis Quarter final 3 is between Nigeria and hosts Australia at 07.00hrs Nigerian time at the Oxenford Studios. On Friday, Nigeria’s team of Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun and Azeez Jamiu defeated Malaysia 3-1 and Belize 3-0 to advance from the group stage.

In boxing on Friday, Millicent Agboegbulem defeated Salte Huni of Tonga 5-0 in the Women’s 75kg Round of 16.

The Minister was accompanied by the President, Nigeria Olympic Committee Engr Habu Gumel, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr Olusade Adesola and the Director Planning, Monitoring and Implementation Mrs Hauwa Kulu Akinyemi to cheer the boxer.

Earlier in the Women’s Weightlifting 53kg, Nigeria’s Fatima Yakubu  failed to finish.