2020 Olympic: Sports minister tasks federations on podium finish

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has charged sports federations to present their best athletes for the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Dare made this known yesterday in Abuja in a crucial meeting with presidents, secretaries of federations and technical directors in his office at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.

He further stated that he will work with the federations to make sure all athletes and their coaches are constantly trained to prepare them for the 2020 Olympic.

He intimated the federations that the ministry will create a Funds Grant for athletes, stressing that athletes who are going to represent Nigeria in international competitions should constantly train to enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts in the world.

“We must put our best foot forward in our preparations towards these and all subsequent Games. We cannot afford to employ the Olympic as a trial event. This is a global sporting competition.

“The joy of the Olympic and the Paralympic has transcended mere participation to winning and winning big.

“Countries now see the games as avenues to show off their sports prowess and make the statement that they are also leaders in their rights. Besides winning in the Olympic, it opens large space of opportunities for our athletes to grow.

The minister therefore said ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, nothing would be done haphazardly.

He reiterated that it would be by careful planning and strategic implementation.

“We examine the plans towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic, and also on strategies to mobilize funding for our actual participation in the games,” he assured.