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The immediate past minister of sports, Solomon Dalung has said he was harassed and intimidated when he assumed duty as minister in 2015.

He made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja at the send forth ceremony organised for him by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

“Shortly after I settled down as minister, a human rights group wrote the President to remove me on allegation that I was a member of a secret cult.

“Of course, as a lawyer, I could have made some cool millions with that publication but I forgave them.

“My three and half years as a minister have been quite interesting. There were contending and conflicting interests in sports. There were so many interests in whatever you are doing in the ministry,” he said.

He further berated sports administrators who challenged every activity he undertook.

“It is only Nigeria sports that have stakeholders that don’t even have stake. If you check the national federations, there are people who have been there as leaders that have been parading themselves as stakeholders without grooming one single player or athlete.

“Leadership in federations developed thick skins and built an occultic institutions that it is only what they want that is defined as the interests of the associations and anyone who challenges that will pay the supreme price,” he said.

By Olusola ‘Jide