May 23, 2021

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games has been given a major boost by Delta’s Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development said on Sunday.

John Joshua-Akanji, Special Assistant on Media to Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, disclosed in a statement that Okowa has adopted six athletes to fund their preparations.

“Those adopted by the governor are Favour Ofili, Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru, Raymond Ekevwo, Itshekiri Usheorise and Ogho Oghene Egwero.

“With this adoption, these athletes’ preparations for the Olympics and personal expenses like medical, hiring of personal trainer, diet and other related needs will be taken care of,” he said.

The “Adopt-an-Athlete” initiative was created by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development to have individuals, state governments and corporate bodies fund the training of Olympics-bound athletes.

Joshua-Akanji noted that the newly adopted athletes have joined the league of those who have earlier been adopted by the governors of Lagos, Edo and Ogun.

“Most of those adopted are already part of Team Nigeria camp in the U.S. and money is to paid directly into the personal account of the adopted athletes,” he added.(NAN)