For the first time ever in the Summer Olympic Games, Nigeria will present two home based athletes in the water sports event and the Nigeria Rowing, Canoeing, Kayak and Sailing Federation is pretty hyped about it.
Esther Tokoh and Ayomide Bello both qualified from the African championships in 2019, unlocking a national achievement in the process as the first Athletes to qualify from Nigeria for the Olympics.
Tokoh has been in camp since 2019 in preparation of her first ever Summer Games, where she will compete in the 55kg Women’s Rowing event.
Similarly, Bello will debut in the Games and compete in the Women’s Canoeing event in Tokyo.
With the games only four months away and despite the fears it could be postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the Federation isn’t slowing down.
A photo shoot session was held this week with the Federation also displaying it’s new kit sponsor for the Games.
Last time around in Rio 2016, Chierika Ukogu, as an independent Athlete picked an Olympic ticket during the 2015 FISA African Olympic Qualification Regatta in the US.
She flew the Nigeria’s flag in the Women’s Single sculls, making her the first Nigerian to achieve such feat.