The Chinese Government has intensified bilateral relationships with the Nigerian Government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) following the visa glitch that led to Team Nigeria’s withdrawal from the World Relays in Guangzhou, China. This development was marked by a diplomatic visit from officials of the Chinese Embassy to the leadership of the National Sports Commission.
During the visit, Culture Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Yang Jian Xing, expressed regrets over the visa challenges that prompted Nigeria’s withdrawal and pledged China’s commitment to Nigeria’s vision for sports development. “I want to describe what has happened as an accident, and we are sorry and regret it in its entirety,” he said. “We are here to let the Sports Commission know that the Chinese Government holds Nigeria in high esteem.”
Yang Jian Xing emphasized China’s openness to better collaboration with the National Sports Commission to boost diplomatic ties between both countries in terms of sports training and exchange programs. “Once again, I want to assure you that from next time, we will try our best for this not to repeat itself again, and we will also like to create a special channel for China and Nigeria sports communication,” he added.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, stated that the Commission has accepted the gestures of regret by the Chinese Government and is ready to foster better collaboration for the future. “We are very happy to receive officials from the Chinese Embassy in our office today, and it shows the Chinese Government’s genuine disappointment for what happened, which for us is a huge sign of better things to come between both countries, especially in sports,” he said.
The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, reiterated the Commission’s desire to build stronger sporting ties with China and allow the incident of the visa glitch to serve as a springboard to a robust working relationship. “Your humility and diplomacy are the best I have seen anywhere, and I am very grateful that you best described the incident between the AFN, the Commission, and your embassy as an accident, and we have all agreed to take it as such and move forward to better things,” he said.
Olopade expressed gratitude for the request for exchange programs and training for Nigerian media and sports personnel, stating that this is truly worthy of note. “We are looking forward to a bigger and better relationship between Nigeria and China,” he concluded.
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