By Uzor Odigbo
Minister of Sports Senator John Enoh, on Wednesday inaugurated a Ministerial Committee for Paris 2024 Olympic Games Preparations in Abuja.
The Committee is expected to fashion out winning strategies for inclusion in Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming Games.
The Minister reeled out the terms of reference of the committee charging them to discharge their responsibility for the collective good of the country, including determining shared objectives/targets and reviewing performances of National Sports Federations vis-a-viz the medals projections for each sport.
With Nigeria’s best olympic appearance dating back to the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, the Minister charged the Committee to surpass Team Nigeria’s medal haul of 1996, where Nigeria won gold medals in football and Athletics amongst others.
“As you go on to perform this critical national assignment, I want to urge the members of the committee to exert positive energy, intellect and experience to ensure that Nigeria surpasses its previous performance at the Games,” The Minister said.
Headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the Committee comprises members renowned for their passion for sports development.
“In order to ensure adequate preparations and effective participation of Team Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Ministry of Sports Development has therefore constituted the Ministerial Committee to recommend strategies and modalities towards a successful outing of Nigeria at both Games”, the Minister stated.
“This Committee is made up of qualified Nigerians who have served this country in various capacities. They were selected based on their track record and relevant experiences.
The committee comprises: Alh. Ismaila Abubakar as chairman, and Amaka Ashiofu as member/secretary.
Other are Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Mr. Patrick Okeke, Mrs. Thecia Opara, Engr. Abolore Alanamu, Mr. Olufehinti Olusegun, Mr. Tunde Popoola, Mr. Suleiman Issa, Mr. Olumide bamiduro, Mr. Brendan Ndifon, Prince Ebuta Ayuk, Barr. Danladi Ibrahim, and Mr. Abubakaar Waziri.
Speaking after the Committee’s inauguration, chairman, Alh. Abubakar stated that the team will do its best to make Nigeria proud, as it will work meticulously to ensure smooth preparations and execution of all plans. He said they will leave no stone unturned to deliver on all terms of reference assigned to them.
With qualifying series for Paris 2024 still on across various sports, eight Nigerian athletes have already qualified for the Games thus far 3 track and field athletes, 3 boxers, one wrestler, and one cyclist. In the coming weeks, this number will increase significantly, as more qualifying tournaments are concluded.
For the Paralympic Games, the country has picked two tickets in para-athletics, 9 in para-table tennis, while 8 athletes are currently on the pathway to qualification in para-powerlifting
