The National Sports Commission (NSC) yesterday, disclosed that the Presidency has approved funds for it to prepare Nigerian athletes for the September 2015 All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

NSC Director General, Alhassan Yakmut, said the details of the approval would be officially communicated to the commission today by the Presidency.

Yakmut, who was at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium, Abuja, to inspect facilities and monitor wrestlers and weightlifters in training, did not disclose the exact proposed budget forwarded to the Presidency by the commission. But he promised athletes that the commission would prioritize their welfare, adding that the era of Nigerian athletes begging after retirement was over.

He also revealed that the commission has saved more than N60 million through its decision to renovate and improve on the quality of the athletes’ camps, which has saved it from putting them in hotels.

“I understand the Presidency has approved our budget for the All Africa Games. We were told that the details would be communicated to the commission officially on Tuesday and as soon as they communicate the details of the approved budget, we will not hesitate to make it public because we intend to run a very transparent administration.”

The NSC boss also disclosed that Nigeria would be participating in 19 sports, which the country has comparative advantage over the others, adding that it has also put swimming, and gymnastics on standby.

He said the NSC would register the sports on standby as soon as it discovered any extraordinary performance that could give the country a medal.

The NSC boss also warned athletes and coaches to avoid any form of performance enhancing drugs, saying it would not hesitate to sanction any athlete who tests positive to drug according to the doping law and the laws of the country.

The NSC boss, who took the athletes on oath by reciting the country’s national pledge, said: “You have sworn to an oath of allegiance to be free from drug throughout your carrier as Nigerian athletes. You have all sworn to be very good, disciplined, and will be clean from drugs for the honour and glory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”