By Joy Odor
As Nigerian athletes prepare for olympic 2020 to be hosted by Japan, President Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Engr. Shehu Ibrahim Gusau has pledged an SUV for the country’s sprinter, Enoch Olaolu Adegoke if he wins gold .
The olympic games tagged Tokyo 2020 scheduled to take place between July 23 and August 8, 2021 was supposed to have been held last year but had to be postponed due to covid-19 pandemic, will feature nations, including Nigeria competing in various field and track events.
Gusau explained the SUV would be brand new as the one he gave to Blessing Okagbare who won a gold medal at Commonwealth competition in Glasgow for Nigeria, adding that other olympians would be compensated with gifts to appreciate them for representing their fatherland.
He made this known in a press release personally signed by him and made available to Journalists in kaduna.
Gusau who took part in an elaborate send forth ceremony held by the Edo State Government for its athlete, Enoch Adegoke, Gusau said the gesture is his little way of motivating the athlete participating in the track and field events.
The AFN President who was part of the virtual ceremony via Zoom said that if Adegoke wins any other medal apart from gold, he will receive a surprise gift still from him.
Gusau commended Nigerian athletes for qualifying for the latest edition of the global sporting event, noting that appearance alone in Tokyo as a participating country in the sporting activity should be eulogized.
He expressed optimism in the ability of Nigerian athletes particularly, sprinter Enoch Adegoke to win gold medals in Tokyo, considering the nation’s good records in sports.
The sport administrator however, lamented poor preparation by Nigerian athletes, attributing it to the crisis within the Federation, urging the country’s contingents to utilize individual’s means of training to equip themselves for the hardest of task they may encounter in Japan.
He recalled with nostalgia almost a decade ago at the commonwealth game of nations when Blessing Okagbare made the country proud by winning a gold medal, revealing that he redeemed his pledge by giving her a brand new Sports Utility Vehicle, generally called SUV.
“AFN on our part, We shall sit and deliberate nature of gifts and incentives for our athletes to compensate their patriotism, commitments and efforts to make Nigeria great in sport.
“The SUV package is in my personal capacity as AFN President, sport administrator and a patriot who is passionate about sport development and to awaken zeal in Nigerian youth to embrace athletics not only as a vocation but a way of life.
“I must tell you, we shall leave no stone unturned in our efforts to change the narratives of athletics in the country for the better until our efforts are crowned with success to a level that Nigeria must be mentioned whenever athletics is discussed, ” he assured.
It could be recalled that, Engr. Gusau was reelected for a second term as the authentic President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on 14th June, 2021.
The Incumbent Gusau was returned for another 4 years term after he defeated Uche Muoma with 20 to 2 votes at the 2021 AFN Electoral Congress, held at the Jambali Hotel, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.