The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yukata Kikuta has promised that there will be no dull moments for Nigerian athletes to the Tokyo Olympics game as their home country is doing everything possible to make all visitors feel at home in the Asian country.
Kikuta was speaking Wednesday in Abuja at the Women And Sports Dialogue in commemoration of the Women’s day 2020 held at the Pavilion, Garki-Abuja
He disclosed that Japan over the years has been rendering assistance to the many sports in Nigeria especially Badminton towards excelling at the Olympics game.
In his own remarks, minister of sports and youths, Mr Sunday Dare who was represented by his media aide, John Joshua Akanji disclosed that the country is doing everything possible to make Team Nigeria excel not only at the Tokyo Olympics but at every meets as the current administration is raising the bar of engagements .
He traced the failure and successes of Nigerian women such as Falilat Ogunkoya, Mary Onyali, Chioma Ajunwa and many others at the games and vowed that welfare of athlete is my main priority
“My key focus is on the athletes, their welfare is very paramount to us. Inability to give priority to welfare our athletes is our greatest bane. Some athletes are still been owed allowances after two years” he said
“I have great expectations for the likes of Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan and several others .They are been doing well ,we expect them to dazzle at the Olympics too.
Speaking earlier , the organizer of the event and founder of Fame Foundation, Erelu Aderonke Bello highlighted the benefits that can accrue to the nation from sports.
“Sports can also bring intangible benefits to the schools and community as a whole. Sports can also bring about positives development in the girl-child.
Dr.Oluwatoyin Aluko, a director in the ministry of youth and sports, Emmanuel Babayaro former Super Eagles goalkeeper were panelists on the topic “For Female Athletes to Succeed at Tokyo Olympics and Beyond” with Radio Nigeria ,Grace Iliya as moderator .
In the second paper of the day, former director general, National Sports Commission(NSC) Mallam Alhassan Yakmut ,Dr.Owen Asomugha and Dele Omoyeni were panelists with Clement Nwakpa as moderator.
