Nigeria will spend 1.7 billion naira to send its delegation of 130 athletes and officials to the Beijing Olympics due to start 8 August 2008 in the Chinese capital, Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Abdurrahman Gimba said here (US$1=118 naira). The delegation will comprise 82 athletes, 43 officials and five federal government delegates, to be led by Senate President David Mark. House Speaker Dimeji Bankole and telecoms guru Mike Adenuga will also be on the entourage. The Minister said Nigeria had reduced its participation at the games to only 10 events in which it is sure to grab medals. The events are Athletics, Taekwondo, Judo, Wrestling Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Boxing, Badminton Football (Male and Female) and Swimming. Nigerian athletes are currently wrapping up their training in Korea, from where they will proceed to Beijing 4 August.
