Union Bank Plc yesterday donated N30 million to support athletes and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) participating in the Olympic Games holding next month in Rio, Brazil.
Speaking yesterday during the cash donation in Lagos, the bank’s Transformation Director, Joe Mbulu, said the lender recognises the value of sports to youth and grassroots development, which translates to national growth.
“Our support for sports transcends supporting the Olympics. We believe that sports drives unity and Nigerians, no matter the tribe, will always support Team Nigeria,” he said.
“We will continue to support sports. We understand that the times are tough but we cannot abandon the Team Nigeria.”
The bank’s Head, Corporate Affairs & Corporate Communications, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem, who announced the donation said athletes participating in the games will get N25million out of the N30 million while the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) will get N5 million.
According to her, the lender sees sports as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), youths and talent development.
“Sports team life skills. We support the NOC and boost the participants’ morale. The private sector should learn to appreciate the athletes,” she said.
Ekezie-Ekaidem also announced the selection of five athletes to represent the Team Union and promote the lender’s commitment to sports development.
Nigeria is scheduled to compete at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, from August 5 to 21, this year.
Since the nation made its debut in 1952, Nigerian athletes have participated in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games, except for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal because of the African boycott.