Abuja — The director-general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Amos Adamu said yesterday that all the various athletes in camp, preparatory to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games which commences in August will depart for a training tour of Europe and Asia in July, even as he advised the athletes to be wary of critics who do not wish them well.

Adamu, who had a meeting with all the athletes in the Abuja camp said funds for their training has been made available by the federal government and noted that each sports would be sent to countries where they will have the best training for the Olympics.

The NSC director-general told the athletes to ignore critics who believe that Nigeria cannot win any gold medals at the Beijing Olympic.

"People have been criticising the NSC and athletes that their going to the Olympics is a waste of funds. Some even said the athletes are not in camp, but some of you have been in camp since January 2008 and non of the critics have come to visit you in the camp or contribute to your preparation. We know that you are all disciplined athletes and we want you to do your best at the Olympics. I urge you to hold your head high because you are representing the country. We believe in you and your abilities to do the country proud. Government recognises you and that is why we are putting you in camp and sending you on a training tour, we are going to support you to succeed within the limited resources available," said Adamu. He implored the athletes to be good ambassadors while in Beijing.