Dare preaches patriotism to Tokyo 2020 bound athletes

Youth and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare, has urged athletes slated to represent Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to be patriotic with a view to ensuring podium appearances at the Games. The Olympic Games will begin in Tokyo, Japan, next month.

Speaking while receiving Africa and Nigeria’s first Gymnastics gold medalist, Uche Eke, from Chairman, Caretaker Committee for Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria, Ehizoge Erhunwmunse, yesterday, Dare advised the athletes that love for fatherland, discipline, consistency, patriotism and dedication would help Nigeria excel at the forthcoming Olympic Games.

“Nigerian youth remains one of the greatest resources the country would ever have. With the recent performances by some of the athletes, there is a ray of light for the country in the forthcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo. Nigeria is on a new trajectory, which is driven by youth with sterling performances.

“Uche Eke signposts the picture of our sports development,” Dare said.

While applauding Eke’s excellent performance in education and sports, Dare added:  “You have brightened our journey to the Olympics and I, therefore, urge Nigerian youth to emulate your spirit of patriotism and commitment to sports development in the country.”

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Nebeolisa Anako, congratulated the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria for its organisational capacity that gave birth to Eke’s feat.

Eke called on Nigerian youth to imbibe discipline, patriotism and commitment in their various sporting fields and pledged to put in his best to ensure he wins a laurel for the country at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.