By Ben Ogbemudia
Nigeria’s preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have hit top gear as  16 Athletes departed the Murtala  Mohammed International Airport on Thursday for Texas where they will take part in relay Qualifiers.

The Sixteen athletes and coaches decked in their new kits were seen off by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare.

The team had almost 3 weeks camping in Abuja in preparation for the relay races in the United States which serves as qualifiers for the Olympics after missing out on the World Relays in *Poland* due to visa issues.

This is  Contrary to the reports in a national daily which claimed Team Nigeria was stranded due to lack of funds.

According to the Secretary-General Of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Prince Niyi Beyioku” Our athletes are highly motivated to participate in various relays in the *United States*. Contrary to a report which claimed the team was stranded, you can see that it is not true.

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You can see them in their new kits courtesy of the Minister who pulled all the buttons to make the trip a reality. The team has no financial problems. *Team Nigeria* Olympic preparations are on track. This is evident in what we are seeing.  The advance party went ahead to finetune all arrangements. This is a mark of  the commitment of the Honourable Minister  to ensure a  hitch-free event  and podium success  in *Tokyo*”

Beyioku further affirmed  “The Athletes have trained very well and are motivated to make the country proud.  All the covid 19 protocols for a successful trip have been carried out.  To underscore the importance  of the trip, the Honourable Minister  lived up to his  promise to see the athletes off  to motivate  them to  make *Nigeria* proud by qualifying for the Olympics and win  medals.”

The team would take part in the first relay on May 9th.