A total of 61 athletes will fly Team Nigeria’s flag in 9 different sporting events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics scheduled to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021.
The Minister of Sports Sunday Dare who made this known in Abuja yesterday when he addressed the plenary meeting with National Sports Federations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games said the athletes will depart the shores of Nigeria in two batches.
He also said four reputable Travel Agencies have been engaged to handle flight tickets of Team Nigeria Contingents.
“The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020 affected the organisational structures of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. “These challenges, no doubt, were difficult to overcome, but could not stop us as a great nation in ensuring that our athletes are strongly supported and motivated to achieve this milestone.
“Specifically, I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support in approving and ensuring that funds were released to enable our athletes to attend a series of qualification tournaments.
“As of today (yesterday), Nigeria has qualified 61 athletes across 9 sports for the Olympics, and 22 athletes in 4 sports for the Paralympic Games. For the Olympics, athletics has (22) Badminton (3), Basketball male and female (24), Canoe sprint (1), Gymnastics (1), Rowing (1), Taekwondo(1), Table Tennis (1), Wrestling (1) making a total of 61 while for paralympics Games, we have Para Athletics (5), Para Powerlifting (10), power rowing (1), Para Table Tennis (6) summing up to 22.”
Furthermore, the Minister said, the recent qualification of Nigeria for the Women’s 4x100m, Women’s 4x400m and 4x400m Mixed Relays was a significant achievement for the country, while still awaiting the World Athletics (WA) to ratify the slots in a few days.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
