By John Agok
The South Sudanese athletes and their coach are promising better performance during the forth coming Olympics and Paralympics games in Tokyo, Japan this July.
Speaking during Zoom teleconference on Wednesday from Japan, the athletes expressed hopes and assurance to perform well in the tournament.
“We are tackling other medic supplements that might add some diet to health and can make us athletes to run faster, but we are optimistic with our current performances. So we promise to do well in the tournament,” Abraham Majok told reporters in Juba.
The athlete that covers about 1500 meters distance affirmed readiness for the upcoming tournament despite challenges.
Sagara Fuyuki, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA’s) Chief Representative in South Sudan applauded athletes’ and coach’ efforts exerted to train hard since they arrived to Japan in 2019.
“JICA has supported in connecting South Sudan Olympics Committee with Maebashi City by sharing information about South Sudan and importance of sports in uniting the people of South Sudan,” he said.
“It was at this background that Maebashi City decided to host four athletes and their coach to train in a good environment and improve their skills and records in the pre-Olympic /Paralympics camp trainings in Japan,” Mr. Fuyuki added
He appreciated Maebashi city for cantoning the athletes and ensuring they continue to train despite challenges especially the COVID -19 Pandemic that led to postponement of the event last year.
The athletes have been camping at Maebashi City, northwest of Tokyo ahead of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics games scheduled for 23rd July to August 8, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan
They have been hosted by Japanese government for the last two years now; ahead of the tournament.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games is expected to kickoff in less than two month time as per last year’s reschedule.