The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has urged the Nigerian athletes to be more professional and not ‘burn out’ as they prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Minister gave the advice in Abuja at the 2020 “Women and Sports Dialogue”, themed, “Creating a success blueprint for female athletes at the Olympics and beyond”. The dialogue was organised by Fame Foundation.
Dare, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, John Joshua-Akanji underscored the need for Nigerian athletes to be physically, mentally and psychologically prepared for the Games in order to achieve podium finish.
He said, “Ahead of every Olympics, athletes often thread with caution so as not to get injured or fagged out before the sports’ greatest fiesta. Sadly, the opposite is always the case with Nigerian athletes as they compete in every opportune competition to earn money. The resultant effect is that they are psychologically unprepared, physically drained and emotionally tired by the time the games at the Olympics begin”.
Dare, however, emphasised the need for adequate preparation, welfare and motivation for the athletes to excel at the Olympics and beyond assuring the athletes that the Federal Government would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure a good outing for team Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics.
The minister specifically praised the resilience of Nigerian female athletes, describing them as crucial to the success of Nigeria at any international event, explaining, “Historically, Nigerian women have always been at the centre of our successes in sports with their exploits in major events like the Olympics, World Athletics Championships, Commonwealth Games, African Games and the World Cup in football”.
In her remarks, the Founder of the foundation, Aderonke Bello, said the event was organised to advocate, empower and inspire Nigerian women through sports pointing out that at the end of the conference, a draft blueprint would be submitted to the ministry and other stakeholders for research and academic purposes.
