Tokyo 2020: Home based athletes to camp in Europe

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has disclosed that home based athletes who will represent Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be camped in Europe as part of the preparations of the Games.

He made this known while speaking on preparations for the 2020 Olympics.

The Minister said that the foreign based athletes will benefit from the advanced sporting facilities in their countries of residence, hence the need to provide same for the Nigerian based athletes.

“We are going to send a few of the home based athletes outside the country for the necessary training. Some will go to Holland, other parts of Europe, some will even go to Kenya.”

Dare also assured that the ministry was doing all within its means to secure funding to support the athletes to ensure they give the best for the country at the competition later in the year in Tokyo.

He added that the Adopt an Athlete initiative was in full gear and would also serve to lift some burden off the Ministry.

In the same vein, the minister expressed admiration at the skills and discipline displayed by the Gymnasts of the TIG Gymnastic Club who paid him a visit.

“When you see kids at this tender age do this, they flourish because they are disciplined from age 3, 4, 5 and when you see these kids, beyond sports, you know that there is hope for this country.

The Minister thanked the parents for devoting their time and resources to the development of the young gymnasts.