Rio de Janeiro – It took maturity on the part of the National Federation chairmen to avert what could have snowballed into a major crisis involving the national federations, the NOC and the Sports Ministry. According to sources close to the federations, it has been depressing that the ministry sent out wrong signals when they appear too slowly in releasing funds due to them to meet some obligations. It was gathered that the chairmen, who nursed fears over release of funds for diligent delivery of the Games opted for a dialogue rather than resort to sabotage. “It was also depressing that they also held our entitlements, including our approved allowances. Even when we were aware that funds had arrived in Rio de Janeiro from Abuja,” noted the source. “This has prompted us to organise as a pressure group to ask for a review meeting and use the forum to ask for our entitlements’’. “We are pleased that matters were ironed out to everybody’s satisfaction’’. The source said. The minister had pleaded for understanding and also promptly ordered the release of funds to relevant stakeholders — the federations. “He even said that unity of purpose that has been achieved among relevant bodies be sustained” it stated. There was confusion in the Nigerian camp over the non-release of funds to athletes and officials as the approved budget for each of the federations and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) were held back by officials of the Sports Ministry. Some athletes had also complained of poor kitting; especially warm clothing when the weather suddenly changed. The aggrieved U-23 soccer team almost got out of hand when they threatened a boycott of the quarterfinal match, which they eventually called off after officials were detailed to go and solve. The team eventually prevailed over their opponents to win by an emphatic 2-0.

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