African Games Will Act As Olympic Qualification In 17 Sports - Habu Gumel

African Games Will Act As Olympic Qualification In 17 Sports - Habu Gumel

By Niyi Busari

President of Nigeria Olympic Committee Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel has revealed that Nigeria will use the 2019 African Games achievements by athletes as qualification in 17 sports for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Habu Gumel described the development as milestone in African sports by all standards adding that it marks the beginning of a new era in African Games.

Gumel disclosed this during the hand over ceremony of the Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Olympic Committee for 12th African Games in Morocco.

"This is the first time in history that the African Games will act as Olympic Qualification event in 17 sports, for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. This is a milestone in African sports by all standards.

At the occasion inside the VIP Lounge of the MKO Abiola stadium, the Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Olusade Adesola handed Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Nigeria Olympic Committee who will take charge and oversee their affairs in Rabat, Morocco.

Team Nigeria will compete in 22 sporting events consists of 500 contingent of elite athletes and team officials to do the country proud at the 2019 African Games.

Gumel however, commended the efforts of the Federal government in ensuring that Nigerian athletes went through adequate preparations through camping and training. With this development, Habu Gumel has no doubt that Nigeria will excel at the 2019 African Games.