Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, home-based athletes contesting in Para-Powerlifting and Para-Table Tennis would be camped in Lagos.
Other athletes in different categories would be camped in Bayelsa, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports explained that this is to enable Team Nigeria prepare adequately, to boost their chances of success in Japan.
According to the Director, Federation of Elites Athletes Department, Dr Simeon Ebhojiaye, “with just days to the official commencement of the Tokyo Olympics, our countdown commences with camp for the home-based athletes in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Bayelsa where athletes are expected to intensify their readiness for podium success in Tokyo.”
He also noted that the foreign-based athletes are being monitored closely.
“Abuja will play host to Athletics, Canoeing, Rowing, Weightlifting, Para-Athletics and Taekwondo. Lagos is to host Para-Powerlifting and Para-Table Tennis while Wrestlers are camped in Bayelsa with Badminton in Port Harcourt.”
He affirmed that Nigeria decided to participate in only ten events where the country have comparative advantage.
Meanwhile, Team Nigeria’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games build-up has been given a major boost by Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who has adopted seven athletes to fund their preparations.
Those adopted by the governor include; Favour Ofili, Blessing Okagbare, Ese Brume, Divine Oduduru and Raymond Ekevwo. Others are Itshekiri Usheoritse and Ogho-Oghene Egwero.
With this adoption, these athletes’ preparations for the Olympics and personal expenses like medical, hiring of personal trainers, diet and other related needs will be taken care of by the Delta State governor.
