The efforts of the Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and the Nigerian Olympic in using sports icons to raise awareness on the COVID-19 pandemic through massive media awareness campaigns have been commended by President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr Thomas Bach

In a letter dated April 6, Bach said the gesture to help raise awareness against the spread of the virus was worthy of emulation.

He said: ” Thank you very much for sharing with us the video for the campaign against COVID-19 put together by Nigerian athletes, the Nigerian Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. This video is a wonderful demonstration of how to put the power of sports at the service of society.

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The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented situation for the whole world and the International Olympic movement stands in solidarity with all the society to do everything to curtail the virus. An initiative like yours with the athletes leading by example shows that sports are doing its part in this crisis. I express my appreciation for the active engagement of the Nigerian athletes, the NOC and the Ministry in this campaign”.

He added: ” Thank you for demonstrating that solidarity runs strong in our Olympic committee ”

The campaign initiated by Dare has such iconic sports personalities like Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Ahmed Musa, Segun Odegbami, Eniefiok Udo-Ubong, Mary Onyali, Blessing Okagbare, Chika Chukwumerije, Funke Oshinaike, Tobi Amusan and Samson Siasia among others lending their voices to COVID-19 safety.

The campaign not only dwells on how to stay safe but also keep hope alive.