TheCable

Sunday Dare, the minister of sports and youth development, says the ministry’s adopt-an-athlete scheme inspired the success of Nigerian athletes at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG).

In December 2019, the ministry of sports launched the adopt-an-athlete scheme.

The initiative encourages individuals, corporate bodies, and state governments to adopt athletes and financially support their preparations for major tournaments.

In a statement on Friday, Dare commended President Muhammadu Buhari and other prominent persons and organisations that have keyed into the scheme so far.

It is understood that four state governors, a deputy governor, some philanthropists and corporate bodies have supported programmes under the initiative since it commenced.

According to the minister, the recent success recorded by Nigerian athletes would not have happened without the massive support the ministry received.

He also disclosed that 44 athletes have received financial support since the initiative was launched.

“Of significance is the support we have received through approved Presidential Intervention Fund for sports even at short notice. In like manner, this development provided the fulcrum for the motivation of our elite athletes and the rapid transformation of our sports facilities,” he said.

The development comes as Dare congratulated Daniel Igali, president of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF), on his election into the bureau of United World Wrestling.

Igali scored the highest number of votes (83) to lead a field of 17 contestants — including four returning incumbents — vying for six available spots at the body’s congress held in Belgrade, Serbia.

The minister enjoined Igali to use his new position in the global wrestling body to further develop the sport in Nigeria and Africa.

Nigeria won a silver medal in wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and followed up with three gold, two silver and a bronze at the 2022 CWG.