The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has on Saturday 17th August, 2024, hosted the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, Board Members of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation and Athletes at his residence to feast together, after returning from the just concluded 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The gesture, according to the Comptroller-General of Customs, was to commend them for their patriotism and strong representation of the country, as they showcased courage to reach the semi-finals and quarterfinals during the tournaments.
The event which took place at the Service’s Management Quarters in Abuja, was attended by the athletes and their coaches, served as an avenue to call on the athletes to have a rethink and restrategise for next games season through trainings, going forward.
Addressing the guests, CGC Adeniyi expressed confidence that with the right support and environment, the wrestlers will soon return to medal-winning form, adding that “the reason behind organising this feast is simple. As our athletes returned, we ought to celebrate their efforts, despite the lack of medals, because it will serve as an inspiration for younger athletes.”
Commending them further, CGC Adeniyi said the friendly reception was also aimed to demonstrate that he values the dedication and hard work invested by the federation in every endeavour, regardless of the outcome.
He said “We stay together when we are happy and stay together when we are not happy. We have a very useful lesson to learn from the experience we had at the recently concluded Olympics in Paris. This reception, therefore, offers us the opportunity to come together to appreciate our athletes and officials for the effort it has taken them to go this far.”
“The Olympics take place in one month every four years but we know that sometimes it takes about ten years for an athlete to prepare adequately for an Olympic. Our athletes and officials qualified for the Olympics which is the highest level of performance in the world, given their best and it was unfortunate that they were unable to win medals.” CGC Adeniyi added.
He further stated that the outcome of the game does not portray the end of the world, adding “because we know that they have done it before and it is our belief that with the right support and environment, they will do it again.”
“Let me repeat again that it is not only when we win that we should have this kind of reception. We find it necessary for us to show our athletes and officials that we are indeed a federation and country that appreciates what they’ve done. We want to continue to encourage these athletes and to serve as a reference for the younger ones coming behind them that the federation and indeed the country will always appreciate the effort they put into any endeavour irrespective of the outcome,” CGC Adeniyi said.
On his part, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, who was present at the reception, commended the Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and the president of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali, for hosting the wrestling team.
Minister Enoh, who applauded the leadership of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation for their commitment and harmonious teamwork, also expressed optimism that the team would change the narrative in the near future.
He also urged the athletes not to consider the current results as a defeat, but as a challenge to buckle-up and make a difference in the forthcoming games season.
Earlier, the National President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, acknowledged the CGC’s enduring involvement in the board activities, and assured the minister of the Team’s commitment soar higher in the forthcoming games season.
He said, “Ever since you become Boad Member of Federation, you have completely changed and shaped the way we undertake our activities. We can not thank you enough for your kind gestures.”
