By Andrew Abah, Abuja
.The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has disclosed that 61 athletes will fly Nigeria’s flag at Japan Tokyo Olympic Games when the competition begins July 23 to August 5th.
Dare made this known during a briefing for the preparations for the games that athletes will go on 14 days pre games training in KISARAZU CITY . Japan for adequate preparations ahead of their events and opportunity to adjust to the Japanese time zone.
Dare said the first batch of athletes will depart the country on July 6th while the second batch will leave the country on July 13th.
Meanwhile, the Paralympic teams comprising 22 athletes competing in 4 sports will depart on August 8th.
“The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020 affected the organisational structures of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and consequently, has pushed International Federations (IFs) to review their international sporting calendar and qualification pathway for athletes in their quest to participate at the 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.
“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 few days.
” The Ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Olympic Committee has scheduled a 14-day Pre-Games Training Camp (PGTC) for the athletes in Kisarazu City, Japan. This move will further expose the athletes to adequate preparations ahead of their events, as well as to give them ample time to adjust to the Japanese time zone. It is also strategic to meet with COVID-19 regulations.”
Nigeria will take part in 9 sports which include Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Wrestling, Gymnastics Row and Canoeing and three other sports.
