Ministry of Youth and Sports has described as false a report that Team Nigeria’s Captain, John Mikel Obi, paid hotel bills accruing from the eight unaccredited players and officials in Rio with the National U-23 team.
According to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, the chief coach of the team, Samson Siasia, in company of another official, had come knocking on his door about 4am (Sao Paolo time).
“Siasia was in my room early this morning and said the hotel security had refused to allow the team leave the hotel due to unpaid hotel bills. I also lodged in the same hotel with the Permanent Secretary and other members of the National Assembly who came to watch the match against Columbia.
“I told him to add the bill to the Permanent Secretary’s bill so that he can clear it alongside other bills. The amount incurred by the excess officials and players is $4,600. When we checked out of the hotel, the money was added and the Permanent Secretary paid all outstanding bills. I am surprised to hear and read that Mikel Obi saved an embarrassing situation by paying the bills,” Dalung stated.
The Minister also restated that eight unofficially accredited persons have been following the team since they left Atlanta, including four players and four officials. The organisers of the games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), are only responsible for 25 accredited players and officials, including feeding, flights and accommodation. We have been carrying the rest along.
“In Manaus, we were forced to pay camp allowances to the extra four players, making 29. As we speak now, the Nigeria Football Federation is the only federation that does not have a single board member on ground. Not even the Secretary-General is here. So, it is really unfortunate that this is happening. We have paid all players and other athletes their first 11 days in camp and the payment of the rest of the days will commence today (Friday). We want to plead with the players to shelve all actions capable of distracting them from their upcoming game on Saturday against Denmark and channel all grievances through the appropriate route. We remain committed to the welfare of all our athletes in camp as we look forward to giving them our unhindered support,” Dalung reassured.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has sent a passionate appeal to the national U23 team, Dream Team V1, not to boycott its quarter final encounter against Denmark on Saturday.
Dogara, who was speaking against the backdrop of complaints of Team’s Head Coach, Samson Yebowei Siaisia, that the players have refused to train and may boycott the tie due to unpaid allowances and wages, said the Dream Team should take patriotism as a fulcrum of their campaign, as he will personally do everything within his powers to intervene in the matter.
He said the team with the likes of John Mikel Obi, Yakubu Umar, Oghenekaro Etebor and William Troost-Ekong has a very bright chance of repeating the feat of the Atlanta ’96 Dream Team led by the legendary Nwankwo Kanu and the team should be encouraged by all Nigerians.
“We will do all we can to ensure that all entitlements due to the team are paid, as we are already talking to relevant government agencies”, Dogara declared.
He noted that football being the major unifying factor in the country should be maximized by all for Nigeria’s continued joy and unity. “We will stop at nothing to ensure that we get the team to excel in Brazil and for Nigeria to recreate the watershed of Atlanta ’96.”
