Former Sports Minister, Dare hails Tobi Amusan, urges her to defend title in Budapest
By Uzor Odigbo
Former Sports minister Chief Sunday Dare has described Thursday’s ruling of an arbitration panel that lifted the provisional suspension, slammed on Nigeria’s world record holder in women’s 100 meters hurdles, Oluwatobi Amusan by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) as timely and a huge relief.
The former Sports boss stated this in a congratulatory message sent to Amusan, in which he also said the verdict was justice well served, and a vindication of the hurdler as “a clean athlete, that she’s always been”.
Chief Dare told the reigning world champion that he is personally overjoyed to have received the cheering news that she [Tobi Amusan] has successfully appealed her provisional ban successfully.
“I join millions of your fans in Nigeria and in the diaspora to celebrate the good tidings, and look forward to the successful defense of your title, in Budapest”; the former Sports Minister stated.
While urging Amusan to quickly put her trials behind, Chief Dare reminded her that the best response she can have for her critics is to scale every height and that includes winning the Gold medal in Budapest.
“Your vindication and clearance to race again, is a big relief for the whole of Nigeria athletics; whose “A” rating on the AIU and World Anti-Doping rankings, has been a major concern and a source of worry, even while I was supretending over the Sports Ministry”.
The Oyo State-born veteran Journalist, politician and Sports Administrator, also urged Amusan to gather her emotions, stay focused and remain prayerful, while imbibing the proverbial ‘Nigerian Spirit’ to overcome all the pains she’s faced in the last one month; so as to conquer the world again, in Budapest.
Chief Dare noted with pride that at the 18th edition of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA in 2022 Amusan excited several by her spectacular world record performance.