The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, President Nigerian Olympics Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Nebeolisa Anako as well top Directors of the Ministry today bidded farewell to the first Batch of Team Nigeria to the Tokyo Olympic Games, with a charge to the athletes to shun banned substances and to comply with Covid -19 Protocols.
The athletes that departed includes Ayomide Bello and her coach, Ebenezer Ukwunna, Esther Toko and her coach and Regina Enofe of Rowing event alongside Secretary General, Olubunmi Oluode. The team departed through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by Ethiopian Airline.
Also in the team are the Special Adviser on Sports to the Minister, Ambassador Mary Onyali, MFR, Medical crew of Dr. Samuel Ogbondeminu, Messrs Abdulsalam Shuaibu and Ekundayo Ogunkunle.
Speaking during a brief sent forth ceremony, the Minister said “As you go forth today, be prepared to make our country proud at the Games by competing clean and bringing glory to your fatherland”.
“As you are all aware, the circumstances leading to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are unusual in many respects, occasioned chiefly by the pandemic that has ravaged the entire human race. Your departure for this game is evidence that working in unison we can collectively achieve whatever we set our minds to achieve as humans.”
The Minister further affirmed “All the athletes and officials that would feature at the Games have been severally educated on Covid-19 compliance and anti-doping instructions. I urge you all to adhere to these rules in order to compete safely and avoid the discomfort of Covid-19 isolation. I enjoin you to make the nation proud at the Games by competing clean and bring glory to your father’s land.”
Speaking in the same vein, President of the NOC, Engineer Habu Gumel said” You are going out clean free of drugs, make sure you return clean. It is not worth it to win medals and bring shame and disgrace on Nigeria”
