By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The second edition of the National Youth Games which opens in Ilorin on September 22, would be used to launch preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where Nigeria would be out for medals haul in multiple medals winning sports, Director Grassroots Sports Development, Federal Ministry of Youth And Sports Development, Dr. Ademola Are has assured.
He gave the assurance while fielding questions from newsmen in Kaduna on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the second Primary/Secondary Schools Volleyball Clinic, which ended at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Saturday.
Dr. Are said that it was unfortunate that the country could only win one medal at the just concluded Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“We would not relent in our efforts at discovering talents from the grassroots. The National Youth Games which the University of Ilorin will be hosting from September 22 to 30 would serve as an opportunity of kick-starting our Tokyo 2020 Olympics preparation,” he said.
Speaking further, he frowned at the dependence on few sports by Nigeria, suggesting that there was the need to diversify sports in the country.
“We need to see how we can focus less on the sports we love, and develop our potentials in the multiple medals wining sports. Is it that we cannot swim?” he queried.
The Director added that it was unfortunate that even areas where Nigeria has been dominating in Africa like athletics is no longer a walk in the park.
