Speaking to The Punch, Mikel Obi’s father, Pa Michael Obi, has slammed the federal government over the treatment given to Nigeria Under 23 that won bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Pa Obi criticized the government for making no plans to welcome the team, even as he expressed his disappointment with his son for leading the team back to Nigeria before returning to Chelsea. In his words:
“I was surprised to read that there are no plans to receive the team. It is very unfair, especially after the team won the only medal at the Games. The least they had expected was a hero welcome and a presidential handshake to appreciate their superlative performance, especially when nobody had expected that they would go far at the Games.”
“I had expected Mikel to lead the team back to Nigeria, accorded a befitting reception, before going back to their various clubs. This is want an appreciative sports authorities and the federal government would have done.”
“We are all aware of the shoddy preparations for the Games and how they were stranded in another country before they got to the venue, a few hours to the start of their first game against Japan. Despite this, they struggled to make the country proud and if this is all they could get for their efforts, I think it’s very unfortunate.”
Do you agree with Pa Obi?