Team Nigeria departs for Congo on August 30

• We won’t disappoint the country, Yakmut assures Buhari

The directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that Team Nigeria must do everything possible to stop South Africa and Egypt from winning the 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville would be fully implemented, says Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Al-Hassan Yakmut.

Buhari had on Monday given the NSC a marching order to go to Congo and conquer Africa. He gave the directive when Yakmut led the NSC delegation to brief him on the activities of the Commission. Among the issues discussed were Team Nigeria’s preparation for Congo 2015 All Africa Games, which holds from September 4 to 19.

A contingent of 550 athletes and officials will begin their journey to Congo on August 30 for the Games. Team Nigeria’s advanced party left the country for Congo on Sunday.

Yakmut said yesterday that the first batch of Nigerian athletes, coaches and officials will depart on August 30, but the nation’s second batch, comprising athletics and wrestling, will have to continue their training back home till September 13. Their event at the All Africa Games won’t commence until September 16.

“The athletics team and our wrestlers make up the second batch, and they will have to continue with their training in Nigeria until their event begin on September 16. This request is at the instance of both the AFN and NWF because they want to give their athletes the best of training for the Games,” Yakmut said yesterday.

Speaking on NSC presentation at the Villa on Monday, Yakmut said: “Mr. President has said we must make sure we beat South Africa and Egypt this time in Congo. It is a Presidential directive that we have to implement.