At Torch of Unity flag off, Osinbajo counts gains of FG’s progressive sports agenda

Osinbajo

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is convinced the country’s recent excellent performances at recent international competitions justify Federal Government’s progressive agenda in the sports sector.

The Vice President, who on Tuesday in Abuja, flagged off the movement of the Torch of Unity, which is the symbol of the National Sports Festival, said at the ceremony “the performance of Team Nigeria clearly demonstrates that the progressive agenda of the Federal Government for the sports sector is yielding the desired results.”

He added: “We are still basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.  

“We are committed to rendering continuous support to the sports sector to sustain the heights already attained, as well as realise our overall goal of using sports as a veritable tool to meaningfully engage our teeming youth population.”

Citing examples of successful Nigerian athletes discovered at previous editions of the festivals, the Vice President said, “The National Sports Festival is a crucial activity in the sporting life of our country. It is the breeding ground and an engine room for the production of the very outstanding talents that will go on to become world champions.”

He recalled the exploits of some “great champions who were discovered at various National Sports Festivals, including Blessing Okagbare, a world medalist in the 200 metres, Olympic and World Championships Medalist in the Long Jump. Chioma Ajunwa, notable for being the first Nigerian to win a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.”

The VP also mentioned the likes of