The Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulalhi on Monday handed over the Queen’s Baton Relay to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He then handed the baton over to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed for a tour of the Capital City.
Speaking at the brief ceremony, President Jonathan was excited that Nigeria was fully involved in the Queens’ baton relay in line with the traditions of the commonwealth games.
“I have no doubt that the Queens baton symbolizes the shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations and provides a unique opportunity for us to share in the excitement of the common wealth games.
“I believe it also plays the important role of creating awareness of the games amongst sports loving people and citizens of the commonwealth.
“Nigerians are therefore expecting a much better performance in Glasgow. We will therefore send a compact and powerful team of athletes.
“Government will ensure that adequate resources are made available for the training and participation of all the athletes going to the games.
“I therefore urge all our sportsmen and women coaches and other officials to intensify their efforts in preparation of the games.” The President said.
It will be recalled that Nigeria’s first gold medal was won in the high jump at the British Empire and Commonwealth games as it was then called in Vancouver, Canada in 1954. Nigeria won a total of seven medals: 1 gold, two silver and three bronze in Vancouver.
The movement of the baton relay round the participating countries is part of the sensitization activities for XX Commonwealth Games holding in Glasgow, Scotland from 23rd of July to 3rd August, 2014.
The relay was flagged off on October 9, 2013 at the Buckingham Palace, London, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who is the Head of the Commonwealth.
