We came to Birmingham with our kits, says Sports Minister

‘The story of Gino Rufinato is false’

Sports minister Sunday Dare has dismissed as ‘fake news’ reports that a British sportswear manufacturer had to respond to a Save Our Soul (SOS) call from the Nigerian Commonwealth team for kits.

Yesterday, some media reports suggested that Gino Rufinato, manager of the MG Sportswear firm, based in a city near Birmingham, provided kits for the Nigerian team’s contingent at the Games after he initially thought it was a ” completion” before launching his 14 clubs into action.

According to the report, Rufinato’s team had to make 200 pieces of equipment, including running shirts and shorts and tracksuits for the staff. “It is wonderful.”

“There is all the fabric, the print, the designs to come out in two days, it was a bit difficult,” said Rufinato.

However, the Special Assistant to the Minister for Sports in Media, Toyin Ibitoye, told Newslodge yesterday that it was “fake news”.

“The Nigerian team came in their official kits from Abuja last week,” he said.

About 300 Nigerian team kits were handed out more than two weeks ago and since then they have been handed out to almost every athlete. These kits, which are the general kits purchased by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, as is the practice, have since been issued to the athletes. These include tracksuits, loungewear, slippers, caps, backpacks, roller bags, shorts, and ceremonial clothing.

He continues: “However, the competition uniforms of each federation differ. Each federation produces specific competition kits for its athletes. The Ministry is aware that the federations have their own agreements with different manufacturers with different delivery times and expectations that are being closely monitored.

“We hope this clarification will help put the matter in perspective so that all distractions for Nigerian athletes and team officials are avoided.”