Tokyo Olympics: Sunday Dare Hails Emmanuel Akpakwu For 'Adopting' Ruth Usoro

Tokyo Olympics: Sunday Dare Hails Emmanuel Akpakwu For 'Adopting' Ruth Usoro

By Niyi Busari

As Nigeria's preparations towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympics gathers steam, another would-be Olympian has been 'adopted' by a businessman under the 'Adopt-an-Athelete' initiative being promoted by Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare. 

On Tuesday, the Chairman of Dakinda Football for Every Home Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Akpakwu, signed an agreement to pay Twenty Thousand Dollars (about 7.2 Million Naira) towards the podium performance of Miss Ruth Usoro at the upcoming Olympics. The documents were in the Minister's office at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

Ms. Usoro is a foreign-based track and field athlete that has won medals in 100m, 200m, Long Jump and Triple Jump events across the globe. The money being donated is to ensure she is in top condition when the Olympics come around.

In a letter of appreciation, the Minister wrote; "On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, I would at this moment like to thank you for choosing to assist in the development of the Nigerian Sports industry by adopting our budding athlete Ms Ruth Usoro.

"We commend you for your contributions, as this is the right time to make this positive move and make your support available as our Team Nigeria embark upon the voyage of Tokyo 2020 Olympics to strive to make Nigeria proud."

According to records, 14 athletes have been adopted by various organisations and individuals.