President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday host members of Team Nigeria to the Tokyo Olympics at the Presidential Villa before the final batch of the contingent departs for Japan.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a brief send-off ceremony for the first batch of the team which left for Japan.

He said the contingent, which would leave in four batches, would be formally given a send-off by Mr Buhari on Monday, as is the tradition.

The minister explained that the ceremony would also afford Mr Buhari the opportunity of officially handing over Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in line with age-long tradition. He added that the president would unveil the official Team Nigeria uniform.

“We are keeping to the tradition of unveiling the team to the president, who will, in turn, hand them over to the NOC. The unveiling of the official wear/equipment will also be done by Mr President. This is a very symbolic event meant to officially send off the team to the Games.

“This should also inspire the athletes and reinforce the fact that the Federal Government and the entire country are behind them,” Mr Dare said.

Team Nigeria, comprising 58 athletes and 22 coaches, will compete in nine sports at the Tokyo Olympics. The first batch of Team Nigeria departed Abuja for Japan on Tuesday. The second batch will depart on July 13. The third batch will leave on July 17, and the last batch will depart on July 19.

(NAN)