25 States Ready to Mark 2016 Olympic Day, NOC says

Habu Gumel, the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), on Wednesday in Abuja said 25 states have indicated interest in participating in activities to mark the 2016 Olympic Day.

Gumel however told newsmen that the date for the celebration in Nigeria has been shifted to July 2 from June 25 due to nationwide environmental sanitation.

“States which have indicated interest in organising programmes to mark the Day will do so on July 2nd, while the educational aspect of the event will hold between June 24th and 25th,” he said.

Gumel called on states which were yet to indicate interest to do so as the Day was a platform to highlight the benefits of sports and learn the benefits of Olympic values.

He said the Day was initiated in 1987 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to commemorate the founding of the Olympic Movement.

Earlier, Henry Amike, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports for All Commission, had said the Day was to celebrate sports and its values.

Amike said the activities for the celebration should not be seen as competition “but a reminder that exercise holds a lot to help mankind stay healthy through sports as a way of life”.

“Nigerians should know that physical exercise helps us to feel better, to have more energy and to live longer. It also prevents excessive weight gain and helps maintain weight loss,” he said.

He said Lagos State would commence the celebration with an art exhibition and dance on June 23rd.

Amike said the event would be followed by an Olympic Quiz Competition and the Jogging and Walking activity on June 24th and July 2nd respectively.

He said that everyone should be encouraged to discover that Sports For All was all about physical activities which everyone could include in their daily routine.