x

Sports minister commends IOC on postponement of Tokyo 2020 olympics

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has commended the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for postponing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The minister said this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, John Joshua-Akanji on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The IOC must be commended for postponing the olympics in the best interest of the whole world.

“This is in response to the general calls across the globe to have it moved to a time when the virus would have abated.

“As much as we were all looking up to the event, the safety and well being of the athletes , officials and fans alike is of paramount importance.

“We cannot afford to toy with the lives of millions of people around the world. At a time like this,this is the best way to go,” he said

Dare said the IOC cannot stand alone and it had taken the decision in the overall best interest of safety of all Olympic family.

“This decision is an attestation of the fact that the IOC is sensitive and puts premium on the safety of people.

” This will douse any fear or tension about going against the general consensus which clamoured for a shift in date.

“We believe that once the pandemic is over, the world can come together in unity to celebrate sports biggest fiesta,” he said.

Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abey and IOC President Thomas Bach on Tuesday, at a joint news conference said the decision to move the games to a latter date was in the best interest of the whole world, until the situation returned to normal.

They resolved that the event would remain in Japan and retain the name Tokyo 2020.

The U.S. , Canada and other Super powers had called on the IOC to move the event following the spread of the Covid-19.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics was earlier scheduled to hon from July 24 to Aug. 9.(NAN)

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Kaduna health ministry partners CSOs, others for improved maternal, child health 

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna  Kaduna State Ministry of Health in...

GSM Market Inferno: Governor Yusuf Injects Over N2 Billion Into Market

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano. Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf,...

Hon. Usman Gorau Distributes Vehicles and Motorcycles to Youths in Sokoto

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto  In a bid to empower youths...

SGF Meets Tor Tiv, Och’Idoma, Elders for Lasting Peace in Benue

Wilfred Francis The Secretary to the Government of the Federation...

Gov Ododo Lauds Ekinrin-Adde Community Over Infrastructure fund Raising

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed...

Gov. During approves automatic employment for UAT first class graduates

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has...

Gov Sani condemns killing of 12 Kaduna citizens in plateau LG, demands justice 

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna  Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State...

APC plans takeover of Rivers, Bayelsa as Tinubu backs Gov Eno

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo .. The All Progressive Congress, APC,...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img