By Goodluck Ikiebe.
The Federal government Government has commended the gallant performances of Team Nigeria at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well as its commitments that ensured Nigeria is included amongst nations that participated and won medals at the Games.
A statement by Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, Ramon Balogun, said the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, gave the commendation at a brief reception organized by the Ministry to receive Team Nigeria contingent at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Intr’nl Airport, Abuja.
Balogun said the Minister, who led the Team Nigeria delegation on arrival,said that the dogged commitments of the Athletes to achieve podium performance at the Tokyo Olympics was worth commending by all Nigerians and lovers of sports.
He assured that a new generation of Athletes that would make the country much more proud at the forthcoming France Olympics and Commonwealth Games “is berthed”.
”I salute the commitment of our athletes and their sacrifices for ensuring Nigeria is on the athlete Medals table”, Dare said.
Dare further stated that the gallant performances of Ese Brume (Bronze Medalist Long Jump) and Blessing Oborududu (Silver Medalist Female Wresting) at the Olympics underscored the positive fruits of Adopt initiative of the Ministry, coupled with that of athletes which contributed to a great extent in their performances.
He urged private organizations and sports philanthropists to invest in the adopt and athlete initiative policy of the Ministry.
The Minister said, “The adopt initiative created the differences between those adopted, that got government support and those that didn’t”.
Speaking on experiences and lessons from the Olympics, the Minister stated that achieving podium success at the Olympics demands continuous programme of investment in training and grants in preparation that is not one or two years but three to four years of preparation.
According to him, ” if we start early and work hard by God’s grace, we are sure to record high level of success and podium finish at the Games.
In their remarks, the two Olympics Champions, Blessing Oborududu ( Silver Medalist Female Wrestler) and Ese Brume ( Bronze Medalist Long Jump) were thankful to God for making it possible for them to realize their dreams of becoming an Olympian ; and by extension, making Nigeria proud through their Silver and Bronze Medals.
