By Amaechi Agbo

No few than 14 athletes have been adopted since December 2019 when the ministry of youth and sports development launched the Adoption Campaign in Lagos, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The Minister Sunday Dare disclosed the figure in an interview in Abuja

Although Mr Dare did not specifically mention the names of adopted athletes, he expressed optimism that more athletes will be adopted.

The minister who thanked private individuals and corporate entities for keying into the programme noted that the policy came at a critical time in Nigeria’s sports development.

Mr Dare who noted that more MoU’s will be signed between the ministry and private individuals and organisations for adoption of more athletes, added that the priority of the government remains the provision of welfare of athletes at all times.

“Adoption campaign initiative has come at a time that it is most needed for our sports development. Between December and now, we have seen a lot of response from corporate bodies and individuals. Our athletes have been really excited because they are getting the support of fund that are going directly to them.

“We are structuring a relationship that is organic between the adopter and the athlete. As we speak, about 14 of our athletes, home-based and foreign have been adopted; MoUs have been signed and we will sign a couple more.  The monies are going directly to the personal accounts of the athletes and they are acknowledging it.

“What we intend to do is that beyond the Olympics, the adopt initiative remains an integral part of our sports development. Like we said, the welfare of our sports men and women is critical; they need grant, financial support for training, to pay their coaches and for medication. These are constant needs and there should be constant support. Whatever government is going to provide, completes what is going to come out of the adoption programme,” he said.