Olympics qualifier: 16 athletes jet out to US

By Albert Akota

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has hit top gear as  16 Athletes departed the *Murtala  Mohammed*  International  Airport yesterday for *Texas* where they will  take part in relay Qualifiers.

The Sixteen athletes and coaches decked in their new kits were seen off  by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr  *Sunday Dare* .

The team had almost 3 weeks camping  in *Abuja* in  preparation for the  the relay races in the *United States* which serves as Qualifiers for the Olympics  after missing  out of the World Relays in *Poland* due to visa  issue.

This is  Contrary to the reports in a national daily which claimed  Team Nigeria was stranded due to lack of funds.

According to the Secretary General Of the Atheletics Federation of Nigeria Prince *Niyi Beyioku*” Our athletes are highly motivated to participate in various relays in the *United States*. Contrary to a report which  claimed  the team was stranded, you can see that it is  not true.

You can see them in their new kits courtesy  of the Minister  who pulled all the buttons to make the trip a reality. The team has no financial problems. *Team Nigeria*   Olympic preparations is on track. This  is evident in what we are seeing.

The advance party went ahead to finetune all arrangements. This is a mark of  the committment of the Honourable Minister  to ensure a  hitchfree event  and podium success  in *Tokyo*”

*Beyioku* further affirmed  “The Athletes have trained very well  and are motivated to make the country  proud.  All the covid 19 protocols for a successful trip have been  carried out.

To underscore the importance  of the trip, the Honourable Minister  lived up to his  promise to see the athletes off  to motivate  them to  make , *Nigeria* proud by qualifying for the Olympics and win  medals.”

The team would take part in the first relay on May 9th.