21st April, 2011
The Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, says it will leaving nothing to chance to ensure that Team Nigeria excel at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
A great milestone was achieved recently when the NOC secured nine London 2012 Olympic scholarships for deserving Nigerian athletes. Besides the scholarships that run from 1 May to 31 August, 2012, the athletes are also entitled to a $1,000 monthly budget.
Leading the athletes are Blessing Okagbare, Ajoke Muizat Odumosu, Oke Oluwatosin, Egwero Ogho-Oghene and Onyali Comfort (Athletics). Usman Maryam and Zakari Hadiza (Weightlifting), Chukwumerije Chika (Taekwondo), and Akinyemi Jonathan (Canoeing).
A letter signed by Olivier Niamkey, Section Manager, Athletes for Olympic Solidarity and addressed to the President of NOC, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, congratulated Nigeria for grabbing this rare chance and hoped to see the beneficiaries of the scholarships fly the Nigerian flag high at the London 2012 Olympics.
Secretary General of the NOC, Tunde Popoola while unfolding this cheery news said it is a morale booster for Team Nigeria and a confirmation of the Olympic body’s hard work of ensuring that Nigerian athletes get what belongs to them.
“I’m excited with this package. It is a pointer to good things coming our way for the London 2012 Olympics. We are committed to the welfare of Nigerian athletes and will not stop at this. It is when the athletes are comfortable that they will give us good results and win medals for the country. There is no going back to a goldmine in the Olympics,†said Popoola.