2020 Olympics: 61 Athletes, 22 Para-athletes To Represent Nigeria In Tokyo

Sixty one athletes and twenty two para athletes have qualified to represent Nigeria at the delayed Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, Minister of Sports Sunday Dare has revealed.

“As at today, Nigeria has qualified 61 athletes across nine sports for the Olympics, and 22 athletes in four events for the Paralympic Games, which are: Athletics – 22, Badminton – 3, Basketball – 24, Canoe Sprint – 1, Gymnastics – 1, Rowing – 1, Taekwondo – 1, TableTennis – 1, Wrestling – 1 which sums up to 61 and for Paralympic Games we have; Athletics – 5, Powerlifting – 10, Power Rowing – 1, Table Tennis – 6 summing up to 22,” Dare said on Monday while addressing the plenary meeting with the National Sports Federations for the games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The Minister added that the recent qualification of Nigeria for the Women’s 4x100m, Women’s 4x400m and 4x400m Mixed Relays was a significant achievement for the country as it awaits ratification of the feat by World Athletics.

Dare also disclosed that the athletes will depart in two batches for Japan and that arrangements have been finalised for a 14-day Pre-Games Training Camp (PGTC) in Kisarazu

“It is also strategic to meet with COVID-19 regulations and for the Olympic Games, the first batch of the athletes are scheduled to depart for Kisarazu on 6 July, 2021 while the second batch depart on 13 July, 2021. The paralympic team will depart in one batch on 8th August, 2021.”

The Minister also said in order to ensure a hitch-free experience in Tokyo, the Ministry has engaged four Travel Agencies to handle flight tickets for Team Nigeria.