The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has expressed confidence that the performance of Nigerian wrestlers in recent outings has strengthened the hope of Nigeria for medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The minister made the statement while fielding questions from journalists during an inspection tour of the Wrestling Gym in Bayelsa State on Monday.
Mr Dare expressed happiness at being in Bayelsa state to identify with wrestling as one of the country’s most successful federations and sports.
He congratulated the team that went to Algiers for an incredible performance.
“Odunayo is now number one we have also seen Blessing. The outing has been fantastic from Italy a couple of weeks ago to Algiers, excellent performance. They have brightened our hope for medals at the Olympics and want to celebrate these young agile wrestlers.
“We are at the theatre of wrestling, the home of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation where Nigerian athletes really camp, I am impressed with what I have seen, I am also impressed by the efforts being made to complete the project remaining here”.
The Minister thanked the President and the board members of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation for their foresight and commitment to the project, while also thanking Bayelsa government for matching the grant round to complete the Gym and said the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development would partner to make the Gym a befitting theatre of wrestling for Nigerian.
