Sports Minister, Sunday Dare has applauded the patriotism, discipline, hard work and the consistency of World record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, and Olympic Games Long Jump Bronze medallist, Ese Brume who stuck with their fatherland despite temptation to choose other paths to stardom.
Amusan broke the 100m hurdles World record at the World Championships in Oregon, United States and also won the Commonwealth Games Gold and the Diamond League for the second consecutive season in her area of specialty.
Brume also won a silver medal at the World Championships in Oregon and a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, a Bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan among others in the Long Jump.
Dare in a chat with journalists in Lagos at the unveiling of the two athletes as the Brand Ambassadors of Premium Trust Bank praised the duo for not yielding to pressure for change of nationality and the patience they have shown in their career.
“It signposts the future of our sports. It is also a commendation to Tobi Amusan and other athletes. You must salute them for their patriotism because they had a choice to switch nationality but they believed in this country,” Dare told journalists.
“It takes bold steps to inspire others. Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume have become Inspirations to so many young ones in secondary schools who want to grow up to pursue a career in sports. It will turn the course for our sports and we will look forward to a bright future.
“It is a combination of factors even for an individual growth. You must give credit to them. Their discipline, sacrifice, focus, consistency and the fire they have in their belly to compete with that confidence.”
