Olympic Relays Qualifiers: 16 Nigerian Athletes, 2 Coaches Depart For USA

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

The 16 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 three 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 fine tune all arrangements. This is a mark of  the commitment of the Honourable Minister  to ensure a  hitch free event  and podium success  in Tokyo.”

 Beyioku further affirmed that “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.”

They will be hoping to hit times that can give them spots in the  Olympics round of 16 in the 5 relays!
4x100m Men & Women, 4x400m Men & Women, 4x400m Mixed Relays. 

They are billed to compete  in 4 meets this May, starting from next week, May 12th, then May 18th, 25th and 29th. 

The 16 athletes are accompanied by Coach Gabriel Okon and Coach Emilia.