Team Nigeria’s first batch departs for Tokyo (Photos)

Team Nigeria’s first batch for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics have currently left the country today, July 6.

The team members departed through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja according to a statement issued by Director, Federation of Elites Athletes Department (FEAD), Simeon Ebhojiaye.In the a statement, he explained that the members include the Canoeing team; Ayomide Bello and her coach Ebenezer Ukwunna; Esther Toko and her coach Regina Enofe of Rowing event alongside Secretary-General Olubunmi Oluode.

The Special Adviser on Sports to the Minister, Mary Onyali; Medical crew of Dr. Samuel Ogbondeminu – Okoh Joseph, Abdulsalam Shuaibu, and Ekundayo Ogunkunle are also part of the team.The second batch of the Nigerian team will depart on July 13th and Nigeria will be competing in nine sports at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics which runs from July 23rd- August 8th.

The Paralympians will be competing in four sports from August 24-September 5, 2021. Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, send forth ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday morning said all the athletes and officials that would feature at the Games have been severally educated on COVID-19 compliance and anti-doping instructions and urged them to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.

He said; “In continuation of his grandiose support to the sports sector, President Muhammdu Buhari has committed enormous resources in the preparation and participation of Team Nigeria for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As part of this effort, Mr. President would formally unveil the official Team Nigeria uniform for the Games during the presentation of the contingent to His Excellency, by the Honourable Minister,” Dare added.

Team Nigeria to move to Tokyo in four batches as follows:

Batch 1: July 6, 2021

Canoe Sprint

Rowing

Table Tennis

Batch 2: July 13, 2021

Athletics

Taekwondo

Wrestling

Batch 3: July 17, 2021

Gymnastics

Badminton

Batch 4: July 19, 2021

Basketball