The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has said that the preparation for the Olympic Games coming up in 2020 in Tokyo Japan starts now. This was the charge and vision of the Minister while playing host to the President and Board Members of the Badminton Federation. Dare assured that the Lottery Trust Fund will be open for preparation towards Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He appreciated the Nigerian Badminton Federation in Abuja for making Nigeria proud in winning medals at the African Games in Morocco.
The Minister made this statement in his office during a courtesy visit by the President and Board Members of the Nigerian Badminton Federation delegation.
Mr. Sunday Dare said he will work with the Badminton Federation to ensure that all athletes and their coaches are constantly trained to prepare them for the 2020 Olympic. He assured the Federation that the Ministry will create an Athlete Funds Grant for athletes, stressing that athletes should be constantly trained to enable them compete with their counterparts in the world.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the recently concluded 5th Edition of the National Youth Games in Ilorin, adding that he was impressed with a twelve year old boy playing Badminton with so much passion, ‘’there is need for Government to start catching them young, to prepare them for future performance he admonished.’’
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olusade Adesola expressed satisfaction with the Medals won by the Badminton Federation, which he said grew from grass to grace. Mr. Adesola commended their efforts and praised them for their bond which has kept them together without rancour which is the secret of their success.
Earlier in his response, President Nigerian Badminton Federation, Mr. Francis Orbih,thanked the Honourable Minister for the audience granted them. He intimated the Minister of the achievements of the Federation so far, stating that when they came on board, the Badminton players had no competitions, however, with much trainings, many have competed, especially in the 4th Edition this year. The biggest Badminton event in Nigeria, which hosted 16 countries from the first edition, and in the last edition, had twenty nine countries in attendance.
Speaking further, Mr. Francis Orbih said Nigeria hosted the National Badminton Championship in Port Harcourt, this year 2019 and 4 gold medals, 4 silver and 4 bronze were won, adding that it was amazing at the rebirth of Badminton in Nigeria.
He commended the Ministry for the support they got during the 12th African Games in Morocco, where they had two gold medals, three silver and three bronze. In order to keep the pace. He recommended that players be sent for trainings abroad so that they can march with their counterparts all over the world.
Patricia Okaja Nnandi
Principal Information Officer,
For: Director Press
