Team Nigeria’s headliner at the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Enoch Adegoke, has applauded the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for supporting his quest for glory at the Games.
Despite being one of the dark horses in Tokyo, Adegoke created a new history as he became the third Nigeria and first in 25 years to make the Olympics 100m men’s final- though he failed to finish the final race due to injury.
To get to the final, Adegoke stormed to a new Personal Best of 9.98secs in his heat while also beating Asian record holder, Femi Ogunode, British star, Zharnel Hughes, and 2021 World leader, Travon Brommel, to win his 100m heat.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, has stated that the Ministry will pay the medical bills of four track and field athletes two of whom competed for Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with injuries while the other two were injured during the Games.
The four athletes are Adegoke who stopped 40 metres into the 100m final due to a hamstring trouble and Ushoritse Itshekiri who also pulled his hamstring in the semi-final of the blue riband event.
Sprint hurdler, Tobi Amusan, who placed fourth in the 100m hurdles, as well as Chukwuebuka Enekwechi who made history as the first Nigerian, man or woman to compete in the final of the shot put event at the Olympics.
“When I heard that the ministry will be taking care of my treatment, I was very happy,” he said. “While going to Tokyo, I was adopted and that helped me to give my all and it was so unfortunate that I had that injury in the final, despite that, I was happy that I was able to end a 25-year absence of a Nigerian in the final.
“I thank the Federal Government through the minister and the ministry of sports for their support for the athletes.
“This kind gesture will help me to give my all in the future while competing for Nigeria. A lot of competitions ahead and with my age I know the sky is just the starting point for me.”
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