Minister of Sports Sunday Dare has inaugurated a 12-person committee charged with ensuring early and adequate preparations for the nation’s athletes ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics which is billed to hold from 24 July to 9 August and the Paralympics which will take place from 25 August to 6 September.

Addressing the committee which will be headed by the ministry’s permanent secretary Olusade Adesola, Dare urged them to be diligent in executing their mandate which he said has a direct bearing on how well the athletes perform in Tokyo.

He admonished the committee to work across board, collaborate with relevant stakeholders and seek partnerships that would ensure all the preparatory work of the athletes results in an end-product of medals at the Olympics.

In his response, Adesola assured that the committee would carry out it functions with the utmost diligence to ensure Nigeria performs creditably in Japan and called for the unalloyed support of the media and well-meaning stakeholders.

Members of the committee include; Olusade Adesola (Chairman); Habu Gumel; Brigadier General Emico Eruwa; Mrs. Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi and Ademola Are.

Others are Dr Paul Onyeudo; Mrs. Toyin Madein; Mary Onyali; Mr Samuel; Abiodun Owoborode; Emma Nweri (Assistant Secretary) and Mrs. Tayo Oreweme (Secretary).