The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) has urged the Federal Government to release funds as soon as possible so that the Nigerian team can start its preparations early.

In an impassioned plea, NOC Secretary General, Mr Tunde Popoola, said the NOC’s strategic effort targets athletics, wrestling, weightlifting and badminton to break the 32-year gold medal curse that continues to elude Nigeria.

Recall that Nigeria’s last Olympic gold medal was won at the Sydney Games in 2000, where the national men’s 4x400m team won a silver medal which was later converted to gold by the IOC after the US team was disqualified for fielding a drug offender in the final race.

“The NOC is in charge of the Olympic Games and the ministry is its partner, unlike in the past when there was a discretionary arrangement. This strong synergy between the NOC and the ministry has helped improve many things and our preparations for the Paris Games are so far in perfect shape.

“For the athletes, they have done very well in the various international competitions, breaking and creating records; the only thing we have to do now is to maintain it through positive media reporting.

“We therefore call on the federal government to ensure the release of funds for the ministry and enable us achieve the desired results in Paris,” Popoola said.

“Our strength lies in athletics, wrestling and weightlifting. We also have hopes of reaching the podium in badminton,” Popoola added.