Okagbare, Egwero, Oke, Odumosu, Onyali bags Olympics scholarship

Submitted by Motunde Smith -... on 21 April 2011 - 5:20pm
The president of the AFN, Solomon Ogba and the NOC President, Sani Ndanusa

The Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, is leaving no stone unturned towards ensuring that Team Nigeria excel at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

A great milestone was achieved recently when the NOC secured nine London 2012 Olympics scholarships for deserving Nigerian athletes.

Besides the scholarships that run from May 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012, the athletes are also entitled to $1,000 monthly budget.

Leading the athletes are Blessing Okagbare, Ajoke Muizat Odumosu, Tosin Oke, Egwero Ogho-Oghene and Comfort Onyali (Athletics). Usman Maryam and Zakari Hadiza (Weightlifting), Chika Chukwumerije (Taekwondo), and Jonathan Akinyemi (Canoeing).

In a letter signed by Olivier Niamkey, Section Manager, Athletes for Olympic Solidarity and addressed to the President of NOC, Engr Sani Ndanusa, it congratulated Nigeria for grabbing this rare gesture and hoped to see the beneficiaries of the scholarships flying Nigerian flag high at the London 2012 Olympics.

Secretary General of the NOC, Honorable Tunde Popoola while unfolding this cheery news said that it was a morale booster to Team Nigeria and a confirmation of the hard work of the Olympic body to 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 post good results and win medals for the country. There is no going back to a goldmine in the Olympics," said Popoola.