Abuja 2020: Be focused to win medals, Minister Charges Athletes

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has tasked the Nigeria Team for the Abuja 2020 Para-Powerlifting World Cup to focus on making the country proud and avoid all distractions.

This morning I visited Team Nigeria as they rounded up their training session ahead of the ParaPower lifting World Cup which Nigeria is presently hosting in Abuja. Spirits high. They are ready to do Nigeria proud and to also make the Wife of the President HE Aisha Buhari proud pic.twitter.com/Uy9W1WA0zP

— Sunday Dare (@SundayDareSD) February 4, 2020

He said this Tuesday, when he visited the team at the camp at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The Minister expressed commitment to athletes welfare and said he will not allow the politics of sports stop him from giving the most important stakeholders – athletes – the best government can

offer.

The Minister also said he was not unaware of the immediate and remote challenges faced by Nigerian athletes but is ready to shield them from the effects.

Dare took the time to explain the Ministry’s ‘Adopt-an-Athelete’ programme, which he said is designed to connect individual athletes to corporate institutions and private individuals for sponsorship of the athletes’ training.

“Once the link is done, you will be connected to the person or company and the money comes directly to you. It doesn’t come to the Ministry or anyone else.

“The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports has a responsibility to you and no Federation or President of any Federation is bigger than the Ministry,” he continued.

“The Ministry takes the lead and that has been the rule. I am not going to change it. The Ministry is the government and we have your best interest at heart. No matter whatever else is happening, ultimately the Ministry is responsible for you.

“I want to thank you sincerely for your service and sacrifice. Whatever has happened, let’s put it

all behind us and do Nigeria proud.”

Read Also:2020 Para Powerlifting World Cup: 125 athletes undergo trials in Lagos

The Para-Powerlifting World Cup competitions kick off on Wednesday in Abuja. Nigeria is presenting two teams, Senior and Junior categories. The teams has many world record holders and is expected

pick up many medals at the tournament.