Falcons: My statement taken out of context – Dalung
Sports Minister Solomon Dalung says his statement that the Federal Government did not know that the Super Falcons would win the just concluded African Women Cup of Nations was taken out of context.
He spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when President Muhammadu Buhari received Senator Kabiru Gaya-led committee on the National Youth Open Water Swimming Competition.
“May I conclude by trying to put into proper perspective an impression that has made national headlines to the effect that the Federal Government was not anticipating the victory of the Falcons and so could not have planned for it. This statement was attributed to myself. I want to categorically state that this is a statement taken out of context. And I cannot imagine or reconcile how,” he said.
Dalung described the government’s commitment to supporting the Falcons as overwhelming, saying “That explains why the Vice President himself had to abandon his tight schedule to visit the players in camp. That is evidence of preparations for victory.”
The minister said the Federal Government was prepared because it had records of the antecedents of the performance of the players.
He said the challenge in the payment of the players’ bonuses and allowances welfare was being given attention as the government was working around the clock to raise fund to address the issue of their bonuses.