*Team leaves today for Brazil
By George Aluo
Samson Siasia and his boys are set to depart Atlanta today for Brazil in high spirits, thanks to the visit of Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung.
Dalung who stormed the team’s camp yesterday had a heart to heart talk with the captain of Team Nigeria ,John Mikel Obi.
Dalung’s Special Assistant (Media), Nneka Anibeze told Daily Sunsports yesterday that the Dream Team VI camp in Atlanta, was in disarray following poor camp and welfare conditions before the arrival her boss.
“The Minister was properly briefed about the state of affairs in the players’ camp by the captain of the team John Mikel Obi and the Consulate in Atlanta and as we speak arrangements have been concluded to airlift the team to Manaus, Brazil venue of their first game in a chartered plane tomorrow (today). Clearance has also been obtained from the International Olympic Committee IOC in Rio to facilitate smooth flight operations,” Nneka disclosed.
We further gathered that Dalung while in the team’s camp frowned at the camp conditions and welfare of the players as he restated that the Ministry was not carried along in line with approved training and camping programs for the games.
“There is no doubt that the ministry was not considered while plans were being made for the Olympic football team. Nevertheless, we shall intervene to remedy the situation. I have appealed to the captain to assume control of the team and restore sanity. For officials who decided to violate the code of their profession and take to media rampage to secure cheap blackmail, their conduct will definitely be measured with existing rules. We have decided to restore sanity and discipline in Team Nigeria. We shall stop at nothing to sanction any conduct that is not within the code of Rio operations. All federations are hereby directed to stick to the rules” Dalung was quoted as saying.
The U-23 team will play Japan on Aug 4, 2016. The team is in Group B also with Columbia and Sweden.
Dalung had earlier arrived in the Hotel ICON Houston camp of the men’s national basketball team to cheer the D’Tigers in their last friendly match against the star studded USA team. D’Tigers leave on August 3, 2016 for Rio.