Dalung Debunks Mikel’s $4000 Hotel Bill Payment

The Minister of Youth and Sports,
Solomon Dalung has poured cold water on
reports that Dream Team Captain, Mikel
Obi bailed the team out; paying a $4000-
hotel bill for the additional 8 persons
accompanying 29 registered contingent for
the Nigerian football team.
Dalung narrated the situation that
transpired on the said day when the team
were checking out of the hotel enroute
Salvador.
‘ The chief coach of the team Samson
Siasia in company of another official had
come knocking on his door at about 4am
Sao Paolo time,’ as per Oni Afolabi
of Upgmcmedia.
‘ Siasia was in my room early this morning
and said the hotel security had refused to
allow the team leave the hotel due to
unpaid hotel bills. I also lodged in the
same hotel with the Permanent Secretary
and other members of the National
Assembly who came to watch the match
against Columbia.
‘ I told him to add the bill to the
permanent Secretary’s bill so that he can
clear it alongside other bills. The amount
incurred by the excess officials and
players is $4,600. When we checked out
of the hotel, the money was added and
the Permanent Secretary paid all
outstanding bills. I am surprised to hear
and read that Mikel Obi saved an
embarrassing situation by paying the bills’
Dalung stated.
The Minister also restated that 8
unofficially accredited persons have been
following the team since they left Atlanta
including 4 players and 4 officials. The
organizers of the games, the International
Olympic Committee are only responsible
for 25 accredited players and officials
including feeding, flights and
accommodation. We have been carrying
the rest along.
‘ In Manaus, we were forced to pay camp
allowances to the extra 4 players making
29. As we speak now, the Nigeria Football
Federation is the only federation that does
not have a single board member on
ground. Not even the Secretary-General is
here.
‘ So, it is really unfortunate that this is
happening. We have paid all players and
other athletes their first 11 days in camp
and the payment of the rest of the days
will commence today( Friday). We want to
plead with the players to shelve all
actions capable of distracting them from
their upcoming game on Saturday against
Denmark and channel all grievances
through the appropriate route.
‘ We remain committed to the welfare of
all our athletes in camp as we look
forward to giving them our unhindered
support,’ Dalung reassured.
Source ,footballive