The first batch of Nigerian athletes competing at the 2020 Olympic games has departed the country for Tokyo, Japan.
The team members departed through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Tuesday.
The Director, Federation of Elites Athletes Department (FEAD), Simeon Ebhojiaye in a statement explained that the members include the Canoeing team – Ayomide Bello and her coach Ebenezer Ukwunna; Esther Toko and her coach Regina Enofe of Rowing event alongside Secretary-General Olubunmi Oluode.
Also in the team is the Special Adviser on Sports to the Minister, Mary Onyali; Medical crew of Dr Samuel Ogbondeminu – Okoh Joseph, Abdulsalam Shuaibu, and Ekundayo Ogunkunle.
Earlier on Monday, an advance team of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development departed via the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
The second batch will depart on July 13th.
Nigeria will be competing in nine sports at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics which runs from July 23rd- August 8th.
The Paralympians will be competing in four sports from August 24-September 5, 2021.
The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare at the send forth ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday morning said the departure of the team for the Games is evidence that “working in unison, we can collectively, achieve whatever we set our minds to achieve as humans.”
He said all the athletes and officials that would feature at the Games have been severally educated on COVID-19 compliance and anti-doping instructions and urged them to adhere to the rules in order to compete safely and avoid the discomfort of COVID-19 isolation.
“In continuation of his grandiose support to the sports sector, President Muhammdu Buhari has committed enormous resources in the preparation and participation of Team Nigeria for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As part of this effort, Mr. President would formally unveil the official Team Nigeria uniform for the Games during the presentation of the contingent to His Excellency, by the Honourable Minister,” Dare added.
The Nigeria contingent to Games is scheduled to move to Tokyo in four batches as follows:
Batch 1: July 6, 2021
Canoe Sprint
Rowing
Table Tennis
Batch 2: July 13, 2021
Athletics
Taekwondo
Wrestling
Batch 3: July 17, 2021
Gymnastics
Badminton
Batch 4: July 19, 2021
Basketball
