13th African Games: Nigeria Lauded For Coming 2nd In All Competitions

FG hails Team Nigeria for placing second with 47 gold medals at the 13th African Games

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has heaped praise on the athletes who brilliantly represented Nigeria in the tournament as the 13th African Games, which are scheduled to begin on Saturday in Ghana, come to an end.

Along with millions of other sports-loving Nigerians, Tinubu lauded the athletes' great performances at the continental competition and praised their memorable display of Nigerian winning spirit during the games.

Loaded with 47 gold, 33 silver, and 41 bronze medals, Team Nigeria secured the second position in the medal standings.

South Africa finished third with 32 gold, 32 silver, and 42 bronze medals, while Team Egypt emerged victorious with 101 gold, 46 silver, and 42 bronze medals. Ghana, the hosts, came in a far sixth place.

President Tinubu and Nigerians are still proud of the athletes and their officials, according to a statement made by Senator John Owan Enoh, the minister of sports development. They also commended them for demonstrating the excellence, resiliency, and strength of Nigeria.

“On behalf of His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR , I welcome you back to our dear country. I congratulate you for your outstanding performance in the just concluded 13th African Games that was held in the Republic of Ghana.

“For two weeks, fifty-two countries fiercely contested for honours in twenty-nine sports; dwelling in the most competitive manner to win laurels for their countries and Nigeria was involved in twenty five of those.

“From our world class athletes who burnt the tracks and triumphed, to our dazzling wrestlers, boxers, weightlifters, and indeed other deserving sportsmen and women who were in imperial form, the indomitable Nigerian spirit was on full display, leaving behind whatever pre games inadequacies. The nation is thankful for the hard work and sacrifice of your individual and collective efforts.

“For the duration of the games, not just Africa, but also the World witnessed the full demonstration of the unyielding spirit of the African continent and you were at the centre of all the developments and more than underscored the great Nigerian possibility and what it portends for Africa and the world. Your dazzling performance and brilliance, propelling our country to a second place finish having won forty seven gold medals, thirty three silver medals and forty one bronze medals, making a total of one hundred and twenty one medals, out of the 52 competing countries at the end of the games is no mean feat.

“This indeed is an unforgettable testament for which the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians will remain proud of. Thank you great athletes for showcasing the Nigerian strength, resilience and excellence,” Senator Enoh said.

He went on to thank the athletes for their bravery and accomplishments in placing Nigeria firmly on the map as one of the continent's top sports nations, but he also stated that if Nigeria is to place high on the medal stand—something it has only done once in 2003 when it hosted the Games—it must invest just as much, if not more, in development and preparation than it does in competitions.

“Efforts will be made to continue to consolidate on those sports we have earned the greatest laurels while also interrogating the ones, as a country we are naturally endowed but which we continue to perform poorly, such as swimming. This is the only way we can blunt the gap between us and our main rival as we envision and implement a masterplan that will propel us to the sporting summit on the continent.

“For the meantime, the challenge of the Ministry is to work out a sustainable package of incentives that will continue to put the welfare condition of our sportsmen and women at the forefront.

“Thank you once more our gallant heroes and heroines as I welcome you back,” Enoh stated.