Nigerian athletes begin second phase of Tokyo Olympics camping

TEAM Nigeria athletes have resumed the second phase of their training camp for the Tokyo Olympics billed for 2021, the sports ministry has announced.Sports minister Sunday Dare is fulfilling his promise to ensure that preparations would begin early for the global games scheduled for late July to early August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.

The second phase of camping began on Monday in three centres across Nigeria: Abuja, Port Harcourt and Yenagoa.

The Acting Director Of Field and Elite Athletes in the sports ministry, Dr. Simeon  Ebhojiaye, said the athletes will be camped for three weeks across the three centres.

Fourteen track and field athletes are in the Port Harcourt camp under the supervision of two coaches, while there are eight para athletes in Abuja as well as 14 para table tennis players and eight weightlifters.

In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, eight wrestlers are in camp under the supervision of two coaches.

The first phase of camping was held at the High Altitude training centre, Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State with four athletes in attendance.

The sports ministry explained that the Pankshin camp was used as a  prelude to reviving middle and long distance races in the country.

The first phase of camping was held from 20 November to 6 December, while the second will be from 7 December to 24 December.