BY News Agency
Solomon Dalung, minister of youths and sports, says the bronze-winning feat of the Dream Team VI at the Rio 2016 Olympics is “the beginning of something new in Nigerians sports”.
Dalung, who described the players and coaches of the team, as the “real heroes’’ of the games, was speaking on Sunday, the final day of the games.
“I want to commend these brave heroes who against all odds surmounted obstacles to finish as the third best team in the football event,” he said.
“They are the real heroes of this Olympics. They showed determination in the face of challenges to win this ‘golden’ bronze. I believe the nucleus of future Super Eagles can be built around this U-23 side that performed creditably in spite of numerous challenges before and during the Games.
“This victory is symbolic. It came at the right time and it is the beginning of something new in Nigerian sports. Overall, Nigeria placed 75th of 205 countries.
“We could have done better but we will now have to go home and bring all stakeholders on board to begin preparations for the next Olympics.”
Samson Siasia, coach of the Dream Team, praised his players, especially captain John Mikel Obi, for ensuring that the country will not leave the Rio 2016 Olympics without a medal.
According to Siasia, winning bronze medal in the men’s football event is “not easy”.
“I want to say thanks to the players. They did a great job. It is good to take something home,” he said.
“Having bronze is not easy; we are happy and we have to celebrate. We have to enjoy this moment.”
He also thanked the Brazilian crowd for being there for the team throughout the matches, saying: “I want to thank Brazil for the great support and hospitality. We are very pleased staying here.”
Also commenting on the feat, Mikel said: “I was disappointed against Germany, where we lost 0-2 in the semi-finals because I don’t like losing, I always want to win. But I am so proud of this team; they boys worked so hard.
“We have an amazing coach, he’s always been there for his boys. Winning a medal means a lot to Nigerians; it is very important because football in Nigeria is absolutely massive. We had extra-pressure but we have done it for ourselves, for our family, for Nigeria.”
Habu Gumel, president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), commended the team for “relieving all Nigerians at home and abroad of all the tension that marked our presence at the games”.
“It is rewarding to at least take home a bronze. I know it could have been better,” he said.
“They have broken a jinx of returning home empty-handed since the last London 2012 Olympic Games. Opportunities are there for us all to plan for the future.”
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